The Programmed Guided Missile 11 (PGM-11) Redstone was America’s first large ballistic missile during the Cold War. Introduced in 1958, the PGM-11 was the American version of the famous German V-2 Rocket used in World War II. In the early 1950s, the U.S. Army was seeking a ballistic missile that could outrange conventional artillery. Named for Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, where it was developed, the Redstone was designed by a team of German rocket engineers led by Wernher von Braun. Development of the Redstone began in 1951, with the first missile test being launched in August 1953.

During testing, the Redstone proved reliable and accurate, with 35 of 38 missiles hitting the target. Chrysler Corporation produced approximately 128 Redstone missiles between 1952 and 1961. It entered service with the U.S. Army as the first missile to carry and test detonate a nuclear warhead over the Pacific Ocean. The PGM-11 missile was produced in two variants, Block 1 and Block II, and operated in the U.S. Army’s 40th and 46th Field Artillery Groups (AFG), West Germany, and 209 AFG, Ft. Sill, OK.

In 1955, the Jupiter-C rocket was developed as an enhanced Redstone for atmospheric and reentry vehicle tests. The Jupiter C/Juno 1 was used for the first successful US space launch of the Explorer 1 satellite in 1958. The Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle was a derivation of the Redstone with a fuel tank increased in length by 6 feet and was used on 5 May 1961 to launch Alan Shepard on his sub-orbital flight to become the second person and first American in space. The Redstone was gradually replaced by the Pershing missile, with the process being completed by late 1964.

On loan from the United States Army.

Manufacturer
Chrysler

Markings
Royal Air Force, Number 8 Squadron, RAF Lossiemouth, 1991

Designation
PGM-11

Registration

Serial Number