A wind tunnel model of a French sounding (meteorological) rocket by Laboratoires Recherches Balistiques et Aérodynamiques (L.R.B.A). Circa 1950.

Length of model 40 cm.

Weight of model: 1.9 kg.

Mounted on a wooden stand, with paper label: MISSILE METEO PARKA - offert par le LRBA

Height: 15 cm | 6 in
Width: 15 cm | 6 in
Depth: 44 cm | 17.25 in

An example of the L.R.B.A. PARCA missile is exhibited at the Musée des Blindés, Saumur, France.

Laboratoires Recherches Balistiques et Aérodynamiques (L.R.B.A ) was founded in 1946 by the French government, shortly after the end of the Second World War, at Vernon in Normandy. This research laboratory brought together 150 German specialists in V2 ballistic missile , many of whom had previously worked at Peenemünde. The LRBA research facility initially worked on rocket engine propulsion and guidance, then on a super V2 rocket, after abandoning this project they developed the PARCA anti-aircraft missile

The LRBA contributed to the French space adventure, notably participated in the successful launching of the Diamant rocket in November 1965, making France the third in the world's space race.