This is a cutaway model of the packaged liquid fuel LR-62 rocket motor for the U.S. Navy's Bullpup B surface-to-air missile. An improved and higher thrust variant of the LR-58 motor used in the Bullpup A (see the entry for A19770188000), the LR-62 produced 30,000 pounds of thrust for 2.3 seconds and had a storage life of five years. The Reaction Motors Division of the Thiokol Chemical Corporation began building the engine in the late 1950s, and it proved to be very successful as the powerplant for the widely used Bullpup B in Vietnam.
The LR-62 included storable, self-igniting propellants of mixed amine that proved ideal for the Bullpup's mission as an inexpensive and highly effective tactical weapon against a variety of ground targets, such as tanks, truck convoys, bridges, and railroad lines.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Rocket Engines
Manufacturer
Reaction Motors Div., Thiokol Chemical Corp.
Physical Description
Cylindrical, cutaway, with tapering in back to accommodate the internal, cup-shaped nozzle. Inside reveals two separate propellant (fuel and oxidizer) tanks, the first, closest to the nozzle, painted red, and proably meant for the oxidizer; the next tank, green, probably for the fuel; imbedded inside the green tank is a separate cylindrical container, cutaway, with simulated solid propellant, tan, apparenty made of wood; this propellant was actually to create the expulsion gas, to force in the liquid propellants through the injector and into the combustion chamber; exterior of the cutaway motor, white or creme colored, glossy; the cutaway indicates this motor was probably a training or commercial exhibition motor.
Overall, aluminum (tanks and body, etc.); steel grating, cutaway, at end of motor (away from nozzle); steel half ring (cutaway), on bottom of simulated solid propellant cobtainer; simulated solid propellant, wood
The name "Thiokol" appears in red on the outside of the motor, some of the letters scratched or faded; letters need repainting. Otherwise the object is in good exhibitable condition.
Dimensions
3-D: 152.4 × 45.4 × 26.7cm (5 ft. × 1 ft. 5 7/8 in. × 10 1/2 in.)
Materials
Aluminum Alloy
Wood
Ferrous Alloy
Paints
Copper Alloy
Adhesive
Plastic
Rubber
Inventory Number
A19770189000
Credit Line
Gift of Thiokol Chemical Corporation
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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