Regulus One Launch Diorama

I've seen one of these things up close at the USS Growler at the Intrepid Museum... They look like headless, trimmed down F-86 Sabers! I dunno if you've seen this but the USS Growler site has quite a few pics on the subject:
http://www.wa3key.com/growler.html

and here are a few teaser pics:




Why not include the Growler in the Dio? Stinger Is going there anyway, maybe he can snap a few pics for you! (he has a thread here in the A/C forum about that...) Hope this helps...

Saw your post on my other thread and left you a reply there. Glad I read this one as I have now included the JATO boosters in my notes.

Can't wait to see your dio when it's done.

Just curious - Which model are you using in that dio?

Hey shrikes - Did they ever really launch those off of subs?

stinger

Stinger,

Unfortunately, there are not many models of the Regulus One at this time. Years ago a company called Strombecker had one and now there is a French company that has a 1/72 scale version. I will be using a 1/32 scale model special built for this diorama.

To answer your question regarding the launching of the Regulus missile off submarines the answer is there were five Regulus submarines and each of them did in fact launch missiles. The fortunate thing is they were never launched in anger. The Regulus was not only a tactical nuclear weapon but there was a training version that was recoverable and could be relaunched at a later date. In fact, it was launched off other ships such as cruisers and aircraft carriers also. There were launches from land bases in Chincoteague, Virginia and ALF Bonham, Kauai, Hawaii. I wqas involved with launches off two carriers and both land bases.

If you would like mor information regarding the Regulus One let me know.

Regards,
Richard

Richard - Thanks for the info on that. I knew that there was a Revell model out there, but it turned out to be a Regulus II. You may or may not be interested in this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3168304606&category=1189

I think I may have this model stashed away in my collection somewhere.

I don't know the true differences between the 1 & 2 versions, but having seen the version 1 today, I can see that it has a very blunt nose on it, whereas the 2 version has a pointed nose.

As a young kid I was fascinated by all of that type of missile. The Bomark was one of my favorites with those very blunt wings that so resembled an X-15. What was the one that was typically dressed in red? Seems to me that it had an intake on the bottom (or was it on the top?).

Very cool that you had a chance to see such a thing in those early days of technology!!! I'll bet shrikes photo's brought back some memories, and wouldn't be surprised if one of those shots were the same launch, or ship placement that you observed.

Anyway, Bud, I'll do my best to get you the photos that you need.

BTW, I would guess that you would need at least one shot from a direct profile, so as to scale off the size of the graphics, and also their relative placement along the fuselage, am I right? On the other hand, you would be relying on the accuracy of the people who restored this one (the Growler's) to be true to form also.

Let me know

stinger

Stinger,

The red one you mentioned was probably the Snark (intake on the bottom). That was the Airforce version of the Regulus. You are right as to what I need for the graphics. A direct profile would be good. If you go to the Regulus web you will be able to see both the one and two (do a Reghulus One Guided Missile on Google and you will get many places to look at). The Revell kit was the two. The missile on the Growler should be accurate as to the markings. When I see them I will know right away if they did it right. I would imagine that they took missiles that were decomissioned and declassified to use as display models with their markings intact. So far, all the ones I have seen photos of look genuine.

Thanks for your effort.

Richard

Richard


Yep, the Snark is the one I was thinking of. Didn't it also have a white stripe down the top center of the fuselage? Maybe that's the kit I have. Can't remember, but it was in the "History Makers" series.

Will do my best for you out here.

stinger