vik06_v_bw_o_n (original 1951 U. S. Army Ordnance-WSPG photo, no. VS-10)

Based primarily on the slightly heavier jackets worn by the military…likely officer…weanies, it also being the one primarily photographed, although less than a handful of times, unpainted (at the following amazing site), I’m going with it being Viking no. 6, launched 11 December (technically, 12 December, at 0004L) 1950.
Mr. Beggs’ website is truly a goldmine:

www.postwarv2.com/viking/sphotos/photos.html

Specifically:

www.postwarv2.com/viking/photos/al_viking_06_photo_set.html
Credit: Beggs Aerospace website (& Art LeBrun - RIP Brother)

Viking no. 5 would be a distant second candidate, it being launched 21 November 1950.
I have no idea of what the launch preparation timeline was for the Viking sounding rockets; however, I doubt that no. 7, launched 7 August 1951, would’ve already been on the launch pedestal January 1951, per the stamped date on the verso.

A wonderful, rare & rich looking photograph. The striking San Andres mountains in the background are an excellent backdrop to many Viking sounding rocket photographs.
This is the first photograph I’ve ever seen of a Viking’s exposed power plant - the Reaction Motors XLR10-RM-2 - or at least some of its components/plumbing, while the rocket was vertical…on the pad.
Finally, I’d really like to know what the cylindrical ribbed engine component is. I initially thought it was the thrust chamber. Nope, the few images/diagrams of this Viking configuration don’t support such, Besides, I think it’s too far forward for it to be that. Darn.

Taken on: June 5, 2022

Tags:

Ionosphere-Solar research

Ionosphere-Solar mission

USN

Naval Officer

XLR-10

Reaction Motors

XLR10-RM2

Reaction Motors XLR10-RM2

flame trench

missile

rocket

Army officer

hardhat

picturesque

dramatic

composition

umbilical mast

umbilical

launch pedestal

U.S. Army Ordnance

Launch Complex 33

LC-33

Viking no.6

sounding rocket

Viking Sounding Rocket

San Andres Mountains

NRL

Naval Research Laboratory

Martin Co.

Martin Company

Glenn L. Martin Co.

Glenn L. Martin Company

WSPG

WSMR

White Sands Proving Ground

White Sands Missile Range

glossy photo

black and white « less

Sets appears in: • Breaking The Bonds & Firsts • Miscellaneous

Groups appears in: • B&W • Space The Final Frontier more » • Rocket Engines • Missiles & Rockets • Glenn L. Martin Company. « less

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