Version: Stonechat I. Sounding rocket.
Single stage hypersonic test vehicle using the Stonechat I solid rocket motor.
Launches: 1. First Launch Date: 1969-10-01. Last Launch Date: 1969-10-01. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 0 N ( lbf). Total Mass: 5,100 kg (11,200 lb). Core Diameter: 0.92 m (3.01 ft). Total Length: 5.30 m (17.30 ft).
- Stage1: 1 x Stonechat I-1. Gross Mass: 4,800 kg (10,500 lb). Empty Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Motor: 1 x Stonechat I. Thrust (vac): 232.000 kN (52,155 lbf). Burn time: 32 sec. Length: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Diameter: 0.92 m (3.01 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Version: Falstaff. Sounding rocket.
Single stage hypersonic test vehicle using the Stonechat II solid rocket motor.
Some Fallstaff or Stonechat launches may have used a substantially larger motor. The Project Officer with the UK Joint Service 'Joint Air Transport Establishment' (JATE) at RAF Abingdon in 1974 recalls that they flew a Stonechat rocket from UK to Woomera in October 74.
The Stonechat motor was in a specially built container which completely filled the C-130 freight hold. There was no way of jettisoning the load, and with 9.2 tonnes of solid fuel, we reckoned that if anything went wrong, we would be the first Hercules in space - briefly! Actually the only problem we had was when a spinner on one engine came loose over the Timor Sea, having been incorrectly re-fitted after an engine change in Singapore. This gave us three days off in Darwin while a new spinner was delivered and fitted. Interesting place in those days, and one of the reasons that I am now an Australian.
Extract from his Log Book follows:
- 18-Sep-74 9:30 VC10 XV 108 Sqn Ldr Brown PAX Brize Norton - RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus) 4:55 Deploying to Singapore, to RV with JATE C130 Task 011/74.
- 18/19 Sep 74 Not Recorded VC10 XV 108 Sqn Ldr Ganley PAX Akrotiri - Gan 2:00 5:20 As Above.
- 19-Sep-74 Not Recorded VC10 XV 108 Sqn Ldr Smythe PAX Gan - Tengah 4:10 As Above.
- 24-Sep-74 11:20 Hercules XV 217 Flt Lt Rodger Payne JATE Task 011/74 Tengah - RAAF Darwin 7:25 Transporting STONECHAT solid fuel rocket motor (9.2 t NEQ) to Woomera. Spinner on No 2 engine came loose in flight, and detatched on landing.
- 26-Sep-74 12:20 Hercules XV 217 Flt Lt Payne JATE Darwin - Woomera 4:45 Delivery of STONECHAT.
- 27-Sep-74 9:35 Hercules XV 217 Flt Lt Payne JATE Woomera - Darwin 4:25 RTU ex-STONECHAT delivery task.
- 28-Sep-74 5:15 Hercules XV 217 Flt Lt Payne JATE Darwin - Tengah 2:30 4:25 RTU ex-STONECHAT delivery task.
- 1-Oct-74 14:50 VC10 XV 107 Sqn Ldr Hobbs PAX Tengah - Gan 3:55 RTU ex-STONECHAT delivery task.
Launches: 7. Failures: 1. First Launch Date: 1975-05-09. Last Launch Date: 1979-04-04. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 240.000 kN (53,950 lbf). Total Mass: 5,100 kg (11,200 lb). Core Diameter: 0.92 m (3.01 ft). Total Length: 5.30 m (17.30 ft).
- Stage1: 1 x Falstaff-1. Gross Mass: 5,100 kg (11,200 lb). Empty Mass: 750 kg (1,650 lb). Motor: 1 x Stonechat II. Thrust (vac): 242.000 kN (54,403 lbf). Burn time: 33 sec. Length: 4.50 m (14.70 ft). Diameter: 0.92 m (3.01 ft). Propellants: Solid.
Stonechat Chronology
1969 October 1 - Woomera LA2. Stonechat I F.00 HRV 933 test Agency: RAE. Apogee: 30 km (18 mi).
1975 May 9 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.0 Test mission Agency: RAE. Apogee: 119 km (73 mi).
1976 February 10 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.01 Test mission Agency: RAE. Apogee: 117 km (72 mi).
1978 May 23 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.1 FAILURE: Failure. Chevaline warhead test launch Agency: RAE. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi).
1978 September 15 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.2 Chevaline warhead test launch Agency: RAE. Apogee: 97 km (60 mi).
1978 December 6 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.3 Chevaline warhead test launch Agency: RAE. Apogee: 98 km (60 mi).
1979 February 14 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.4 Chevaline warhead test launch Agency: RAE. Apogee: 93 km (57 mi).
1979 April 4 - Woomera LA2. Falstaff F.5 Chevaline warhead test launch Agency: RAE. Apogee: 103 km (64 mi).
Bibliography:
