EST 1961
Sounding rocket wind tunnel model
Sounding rocket wind tunnel model
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.
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 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 making France the third in the world's space race.
