Originally Posted by
EXFIN
Fantastic, we are also looking for the early firins in the 50's too. Cans are there for opening!!! Best wishes, Taff
Bloodhound Mk 1 Service Firing Trials didn't really get going until mid 1961 and North Coates Trials Wing produced a number of reports that covered the service trials in great detail. (The Woomera Trials didn't finish until May 1960). Thus I've not looked at any of the Aberporth ORB's before Jan 1962. However the following AAM trials were run on the Range from Jan 1962 to June 1962.
Jan 1962 MOA/AM Firestreak Continuation Trials - Three (Telemetry) missiles fired. Two near misses and a direct hit.
Mar 1962 MOA/AM Firestreak Continuation Trials - 7 missiles fired off 5 aircraft (4 missiles fired in a pair, 2 with Telemetry and 2 with Warheads). Only 3 missiles were counted as successful,
Mar 1962 Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials on the range for AI / missile harmonization by AFDS
Apr 1962 Javelin / Firestreak Service Trials. Trial have been on hold for a while most likely due to Fuzing issues which had been noted in the January F540. Final six firings carried out in April. 13 missiles fired in total during the trials, 10 Successful, 1 partly successful, 2 failure.
Apr 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. First 4 missiles all fired successfully
May 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. Six firings one of which was a ripple pair (one Telemetry and one warhead). Two firings resulted in direct hits killing a Meteor and a Jindivik. three near misses and one firing was a failure.
June 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. 4 Missiles fired, One direct hit, One Near miss, two failed to home, though the last two were fired while the aircraft were in a 3g and 4g turn respectively.
July 1962 AFDS Lightning / Firestreak Tactical Trials. After a number of carry over simulated launches in high g turns the next 2 firings in the same conditions resulted in a direct hit and a near miss.
There is nothing to state whether any of these sorties were flown from Valley or not.