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Bristol-Ferranti Bloodhound Missile
Image: Bloodhound Missile Model
Source: Museum Victoria
The Bloodhound was the first British surface to air missile to see operational service, known initially as 'Red Duster'. Developed in the early 1950s as a joint project by Bristol Aircraft Co. and Ferranti Electronics, much of the development and testing work was performed in Australia at the Weapons Research Establishment at Woomera, South Australia beginning in 1953. The first live firing against a Jindivik target aircraft took place at Woomera in 1956. The Bloodhound entered service with the RAF in 1958 where it was eventually used by 11 RAF squadrons. The RAAF began using the Bloodhound in 1961 when 30 Squadron at Williamtown, NSW received the type. It was used until 1968 with a detachment based at Darwin between 1965 and 1968. The Bloodhound remained in use with British forces until 1991.
Two versions known as the Mk.1 and Mk.2 were produced. The Bloodhound was launched by four Gosling booster rockets with a burning time of 2.75 seconds. After these were expended, thrust was provided by a pair of Bristol Thor ramjet engines. The Bloodhound missile was capable of speeds up to Mach 2.2 and a maximum altitude of about 70,000 feet. A ground-based AEI radar unit was used to acquire and track the target with the missile following the beam. The Bloodhound could be fired singly or in salvoes.
(showing 1 - 7) 7 items
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Aero Engine - Bristol Hercules XVIII, Bristol/DAP Beaufighter, circa 1944
The Hercules XVIII in the Museum's collection was purchased by the Museum in 1970 without a log book. Its operational use is therefore not known. It was subsequently sectioned for displ ...
From: Bristol, United Kingdom Images: 2 -
Aeroplane Model - Bristol F.2B
1:16 scale model of a Bristol F.2B was commissioned by the Museum and built by Mr Harold P. Wood in 1965-1966.
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Research Rocket - Australia, Kookaburra Mk.1, Two-Stage, 1975
Alternative Name(s): Sounding Rocket Kookaburra Mark 1, Australian-designed, upper atmosphere research rocket powered by a two-stage (Lupus 1A & Musca) cast composite propellant motor. ...
From: Maribyrnong, Australia Images: 1 -
Missile Model - Bristol Ferranti Bloodhound Mk.1 & Launcher, circa 1960
This metal 1:25 scale painted brass model of a Bristol Ferranti Bloodhound Mk.1 surface-to-air missile was received by the Museum in 1966. It is mounted on a launcher and was commission ...
Images: 2 -
Research Rocket Model - Long Tom
Rocket History The Long Tom was the first of a series of Australian-built research or sounding rockets which included Lorikeet, Cockatoo and Kookaburra. The sounding rocket program was ...
Images: 1 -
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Rocket Boost Motor - Gosling, Bloodhound Missile, circa 1960
The Gosling solid fuel propellant rocket was a single-nozzle booster rocket with an average thrust of 103.24kN and a burning time of 2.75 seconds. The Gosling was developed in Britain b ...
From: Maribyrnong, Australia Images: 0 -
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Research Rocket - Australia, Lorikeet Mk.2, Two-Stage, 1976
Alternative Name(s): Sounding Rocket Lorikeet Mark 2, Australian-designed, two-stage upper atmospheric research rocket powered by cast composite propellant motors (Dorado 1A & Lupus 3A ...
From: Maribyrnong, Australia Images: 0
