Ballistics Collection

Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missiles

Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missiles at RAF Station, Woolfox Lodge

Chrysler Jupiter-C sounding rocket at Cape Canaveral on 8 August 1957 prior to the third and final sub-orbital test of a re-entry nose cone

Blue Streak at Woomera

Illustration showing the ballistic effects of firing a cannon. The projectile is shown moving in accordance with
5311515 Illustration showing the ballistic effects of firing a cannon. The projectile is shown moving in accordance with the laws of physics, described by Aristotle

Electro-ballistic apparatus for measuring the speed of cannon-shot, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Electro-ballistic apparatus for measuring the speed of cannon-shot, 1864. Apparatus invented by Major Navez, of the Belgian Artillery

Experiments with the Armstrong 600-pounder against the Warrior floating target, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Section of the Warrior floating target, showing the hole made by the 600-pound shell and the displacement of the upper plate, 1864

Experiments with the Armstrong 600-pounder against the Warrior floating target, 1864. Creator: Unknown
Experiments with the Armstrong 600-pounder against the Warrior floating target, 1864. The sight presented by the target when struck was very grand

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: firing from the rests, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: firing from the rests, 1862. At the Royal Laboratory practice-range of Woolwich Arsenal number of gunmakers of celebrity were present

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the rifle-rest, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the rifle-rest, 1862. At the Royal Laboratory practice-range of Woolwich Arsenal number of gunmakers of celebrity were present

Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the Council of the National Rifle... 1862 Creator: Unknown
Official trial of small-bore rifles on Plumstead Marshes: the Council of the National Rifle Association watching the target, 1862

Royal Aircraft Establishment - Supermarine Scimitar F. 1
Royal Aircraft Establishment - Supermarine Scimitar F.1 XD229 at RAE West Freugh in Scotland. The RAE carried out research for ballistics and weapon-aiming at West Freugh, (now part of Qinetic)

An English Electric Thunderbird surface-to-air guided missile being transferred from the launcher-loading trolley to the launcher, September 1958. Date: 1958

English Electric Thunderbird guided missile system
English Electric Thunderbird surface-to-air guided missile system, March 1958. Date: 1958

Blue Streak in LT Tower - Hawker Siddeley Dynamics? factory
Blue Streak in the LT Tower at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics? factory at Hatfield

Blue Streak test rig installation at Hatfield, c1958
Blue Streak test rig installation at Hatfield, circa 1958. Date: circa 1958

An almost complete Blue Streak at Stevenage, c1964
An almost complete Blue Streak at Stevenage, circa 1964. Date: circa 1964

Complete Blue Streak electrical mock-up for circuit testing at Stevenage, circa 1964. Date: circa 1964

Bristol Bloodhound guided missile unveiled at Filton
Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missile was unveiled at Filton on 20 August 1957. Date: 1957

Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missile at Farnborough in 1957. Date: 1957

Electro-Ballistic Apparatus for Measuring the Speed of Cannon-Shot (engraving)
1613344 Electro-Ballistic Apparatus for Measuring the Speed of Cannon-Shot (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Roman Ballistic Machinery, from the Encyclopedie des Sciences et Metiers
STC182334 Roman Ballistic Machinery, from the Encyclopedie des Sciences et Metiers by Denis Diderot (1713-84), published c.1770 (engraving) by French School

Catapult (engraving) (b / w photo)
XIR224433 Catapult (engraving) (b/w photo) by French School, (18th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris, France; French, out of copyright

A test rocket used to demonstrate the parachute recover?
A test rocket used to demonstrate the parachute recovery system of the English Electric Thunderbird surface-to-air guided missile. 1957 Farnborough air show. Date: 1957

An unarmed English Electric Thunderbird surface-to-air ?
An unarmed English Electric Thunderbird surface-to-air guided missile collides amidship with the target, a Jindivik, following its launch from Woomera, Australia, 5 December 1957. Date: 1957

Sgt Leslie Williams of the 32nd Guided Weapons Regiment?
Sgt Leslie Williams of the 32nd Guided Weapons Regiment of the Royal Artillery at Ty Croes, North Wales, during training with the English Electric Thunderbird surface-to-air guided missile

Bristol Bloodhound II surface-to-air guided missiles at the Royal Swedish Air Force base at Barkaby, near Stockholm

Chrysler Jupiter intermediate range ballistic missile (IRBM) launched on a test flight from Cape Canaveral on 27 February 1959. Date: 1959

Blue Streak test at Spadeadam

Blue Streak static firing of vehicle 4D4 on the C3 stand at Spadeadam

Blue Streak flight vehicle F1 lifting off from Woomera
Blue Streak flight vehicle F1 lifting off from the pad at Woomera

Blue Streak test rig at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics? factory at Hatfield

Blue Streak Coralie stage being lifted into the LT Tower at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics? factory at Hatfield, circa 1964. Date: circa 1964

Blue Streak satellite adaptor section lifted before assembly
Blue Streak satellite adaptor section being lifted before assembly, alongside the nose fairing, circa 1964. Date: circa 1964

Blue Streak nose fairing being lifted at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics? factory at Hatfield, circa 1964. Date: circa 1964

Blue Streak German third stage being lifted into the LT Tower at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics? factory at Hatfield, circa 1964. Date: circa 1964

Blue Streak, cAugust 1959
Blue Streak, circa August 1959. Date: 1959

Blue Streak first stage in test tower at de Havilland?s fact
Blue Streak first stage in a test tower at de Havilland?s factory at Hatfield

Static test rig installation at Hatfield for Blue Streak, c1
Static test rig installation at Hatfield for development of Blue Streak, circa 1958. Date: circa 1958

Blue Streak assembly line at de Havilland?s factory at Stevenage, 16 August 1961. Date: 1961

Part of the Blue Streak electrical mock-up showing the French and German stages at Stevenage, circa 1964

The flight structure of the Prospero X3 technology sate?
The flight structure of the Prospero X3 technology satellite, prior to electronic installation, during vibration testing at the BAC Space Systems Group, Bristol

Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air missile, North Coates
Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missile at Britain?s first guided weapons air defence station at North Coates, Lincolnshire. November 1958. Date: 1958

Bristol Bobbin recoverable ramjet test vehicle

Black Arrow three-stage satellite launcher lifts off from Woomera on 4 March 1970. Date: 1970

Black Arrow three-stage satellite launcher at Woomera

Gunner firing a cannon, 1561. The path of the projectile is shown according to Aristotelian physics. Since he believed that no body could undertake more than one motion at a time

Dum-dum bullets used during WW1
Dum-dum bullets used during the First World War. As Dr Haydn Brown explains, the bullet breaks up or mushrooms on entering the human target, and causes maximum damage as a result. Date: October 1914

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"Exploring the Dynamics of Ballistics: From Missiles to Bullets" Ballistics, a fascinating field that encompasses the study of projectiles in motion, has witnessed remarkable advancements over the years. One such milestone was achieved with the Bristol Bloodhound surface-to-air guided missiles. These cutting-edge missiles, developed by Bristol Aerospace, showcased their prowess in defense systems. The Chrysler Jupiter-C sounding rocket at Cape Canaveral also played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of ballistics. Its launches provided valuable data for scientific research and space exploration endeavors. Across continents, the Blue Streak missile made its mark at Woomera and Spadeadam test sites. These trials pushed boundaries and paved the way for more sophisticated missile technologies. Innovation continued as Bristol unveiled their groundbreaking Bloodhound guided missile system at Filton. This state-of-the-art creation demonstrated precision and effectiveness in air defense capabilities. Notable figures like Sir Andrew Noble contributed significantly to ballistics through their expertise and dedication. Their pioneering work propelled this discipline forward, shaping modern warfare strategies. Even historical events left an indelible mark on ballistics' evolution. The use of Dum-dum bullets during World War I highlighted both ethical concerns and technological advancements in bullet design. Further developments emerged with English Electric's Thunderbird surface-to-air guided missile system. This advanced weaponry showcased enhanced accuracy and target acquisition capabilities. Within aviation circles, Royal Aircraft Establishment's Supermarine Scimitar F. 1 aircraft integrated seamlessly into ballistics research efforts—providing invaluable insights into aerodynamics during flight missions. From military applications to scientific breakthroughs, ballistics continues to captivate minds worldwide as it unravels new possibilities within projectile dynamics—a testament to human ingenuity pushing boundaries ever further.