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Author
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Topic: 1952 White Sands QSL postcard
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Axman
Member Posts: 321
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023
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posted 01-11-2024 07:50 AM
   
I have just bought this QSL postcard. Although it is not a "launch cover," I am rather pleased with it, and it was signed off in 1952, the last year V2s were launched from White Sands. I have a couple of queries though (which I have not managed to resolve with a swift google or two)... The QSL, being American, can I presume the 2/8 1952 is the 8th February? Or is it, because of the year being at the end, in English format and represents 2nd August? Also, does anybody have any idea whatsoever what M.A.R.S. stands for in the Mars Station and Mars Director? |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3756
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-11-2024 08:04 AM
I think the last V-2 launch from White Sands was in June 1951. I'll double check a bit later even though its no big deal, of course not. |
Axman
Member Posts: 321
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023
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posted 01-11-2024 08:36 AM
There were definitely V-2 launches from White Sands Proving Ground in 1952.They were all conducted by the US Army's 1st Guided Missile Battalion, and the rockets were the last of the German V-2s (excepting those flown by the Russians at Kapustin Yar). After TF-1 (which set an altitude record for the V-2 at 132 nautical miles in August 1951) they were: - 20/May/1952 Test-Flight 2 also known as #59 a joint launch by 1stGMB with instrumentation by Signal Corps Engineering Lab & University of Michigan - it attained 64 miles altitude.
- 22/August/1952 TF-3 launched by 1stGMB and instrumented by Naval Research Lab - reached a height of 48 miles.
- and finally 19/September/1952 TF-5 launched by 1stGMB on behalf of Signals Engineering Corps to a height of only 16 miles.
Test-Flight 4, and V2 #58 although scheduled for 1952 were never fired. |
rvk
Member Posts: 37
From: Highlands Ranch, CO USA
Registered: Jul 2020
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posted 01-11-2024 11:49 AM
MARS is the Military Auxiliary Radio System. A search on Google will give you more information about this. It is a "civilian auxiliary consisting primarily of licensed amateur radio operators who are interested in assisting the military with communications." |
Axman
Member Posts: 321
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023
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posted 01-11-2024 12:07 PM
Marvellous information. Thank you very much. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3756
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 01-11-2024 01:35 PM
Sorry about that Alan, as you are correct. There were five more V-2's fired from White Sands after June 1951 of which some were US Army training exercises that I had forgotten about and how could I forget the new altitude record of 132 nautical miles in Aug. 1951. Shame on me and thanks for that correction.
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micropooz
Member Posts: 1743
From: Washington, DC, USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 01-11-2024 02:12 PM
That's a great find, Alan!!!McMahan lists Aerobee sounding rocket launches at White Sands on 1/30/52 and 2/19/52, so the date on this QSL card hits right between those. Pretty darned close for events 70+ years ago that people didn't make covers for... |
Axman
Member Posts: 321
From: Derbyshire UK
Registered: Mar 2023
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posted 01-12-2024 05:59 AM
quote:
Originally posted by micropooz:
...so the date on this QSL card hits right between those.
So it's 8th February, and not 2nd August. I shall duly index it as such. |
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