It's not the Nike Smoke, so what is it?

[ebruce1361]

During the heyday of atomic weapons testing in the 1950s, the propagation of the shockwaves from the bomb blast was indicated by refraction of the visible smoke trail from solid fuel rockets launched behind (relative to the camera) the actual blast. For the longest time, I was of the impression that these rockets were Nike Smoke rockets, but it turns out that N.S. was developed in the 60s and the smoke trail produced from the payload (not the motor exhaust plume) was used to study upper atmosphere wind currents.

So, what rockets were used? Was there a standardized design? Has anyone made a flying model of these?

 

[Buzzard]

I believe they were ASPs - Atmospheric Sounding Projectiles?

 

[H_Rocket]

It was indeed the ASP - I know Vaughn Brothers made one and you can occasionally stumble across one. Not sure if anyone else did. The most likely would have been Aerospace Specialty Products and it looks like they don't.

 

[ebruce1361]

Thanks! Now that I have the correct name, I did a quick Google search and wouldn't ya know...Estes made one!

 

[kuririn]

Estes had a kit, long OOP. MPC had a Miniroc:
https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/est0862.pdf
https://www.ebay.com/itm/292236223745
Using Alway's ROTW dimensional drawings, easy enough to up or down scale your own.
Reading the ROTW text, this rocket was designed to probe the mushroom clouds of nuclear tests.
Full size one is 6.5" dia., 12 ft. long. Fly away front rail guide, trailing flares on fins.
Hmmmm…. now to find a 6.5" tube.
Cheers.

 

[samb]

Mr. Harry Stine designed a 13mm powered model for MPC in 1970. There are a few listed on ebay.

https://www.rocketreviews.com/mpc-asp-1-fred-nardei.html
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/ModelRocketry/Model_Rocketry_v01n07_05-69.pdf

 

[shreadvector]

it it power-prangs you may have difficulty telling your ASP from a hole in the ground........

 

[shreadvector]

 

[kuririn]

Forgot about Chris' cardstock model:

https://rocketry.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/downscale_asp.pdf

 

[ebruce1361]

Any idea what the story is behind the nose variation on this version? if I were to make a scratch build of an ASP, I rather like the look of this nose:

(From the website https://www.wsmr-history.org/ASP.htm ):
"Photo of an "Atmospheric Sounding Projectile" (ASP) rocket at White Sands Proving Ground. There were five of these rockets launched at White Sands during February 1956. These were the only ASPs launched by the US Navy at White Sands, although there were 37 total rockets, made by Cooper Development Company, launched world wide."

 

[rharshberger]

the number produced puts the ASP out of the running at only 37 units.
Edit: evidently some of the ASP rockets were used in nuclear weapons test detonation, at least according to Wikipedia.

 

[Cape Byron]

Estes had a kit, long OOP. MPC had a Miniroc:
https://www.spacemodeling.org/jimz/estes/est0862.pdf
https://www.ebay.com/itm/292236223745 <snip>

Wow.

I'm selling the MPC one for way less on ebay...

How come no-one likes my ads?

 

[Scottrod]

Ncr had a 4 inch asp in the 90s i built one it was pretty cool.

 

[Titan II]

https://jcrocket.com/nike-asp.shtml

 

[kuririn]

John Coker's custom Nike Asp is impressive.
Here's a Madcow/Rocketry Warehouse kit you can buy today:
https://www.madcowrocketry.com/2-6-fiberglass-nike-asp/