Thor: Anatomy of a Weapon System

by Geoff Goodchild

Overview

Thor: Anatomy of a Weapon System examines, in plain English, the technical aspects of the Thor IRBM. The missile and its ground support equipment are covered in detail. The guidance system is conveniently spread across two chapters and includes a sub section to help understanding of the gyroscopes. The ground based guidance components, including the mysterious theodolites, are described with accompanying drawings. Included are discussions on ballistics and how the properties of the Earth affect the missile’s flight. A chapter is dedicated to Thor’s raison d’etre; the 1.44 megaton warhead, its principles of operation and its terrifying effects. The launch countdown process is comprehensively covered in a series of easy to follow flow diagrams, accompanied by detailed drawings and descriptions of the launch control consoles and equipment. The launch site itself is examined with details of surveys, locations and layout. Detailed drawings of site buildings, by the author, complete the book, which contains photographs from the author’s collection, believed to be previously unseen.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781781555682
Publisher:	Fonthill Media
Publication date:	01/13/2017
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Geoff Goodchild was born in Lincolnshire in 1951. Qualifying as a pilot in 1969, he pursued a career in the airline industry, retiring in 2006 as a long-haul Airbus captain. He continues to work in flight simulators with trainee airline pilots. His first close encounter with Thor, aged 9, kindled a fascination with the missile of which this book is the result. Always passionate about anything that can be made to fly, his hobbies include rocketry, aero modelling and light aviation. He lives with his partner Jan and their two sons in Northamptonshire.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 5

Glossary of Terms 7

Introduction 15

1 The Sites 17

The Site 17

The Site Buildings 21

2 The Missile 31

The Airframe 31

Pneumatic System 36

Fuel System 38

Engine 40

Hydraulic System 48

Electrical System 49

Guidance 51

Re-Entry Vehicle 80

Warhead 85

3 The Launch Emplacement 94

The Launch Emplacement 94

Missile Shelter 96

Transporter/Erector 98

Launch Mounting 101

Hydraulic Pumping Unit 106

Fuel 107

EEX Missile Check-Out Trailer, Power Switchboard 115

Guidance 117

Guidance Countdown 134

Guidance Control 140

Guidance Alignment Set Components 144

4 The Launch Control Area 160

The Launch Control Area 160

The Launch Control Trailer 162

The Launch Countdown 167

Epilogue 175

Bibliography 176