NW025 1/144 Atlas SLV-3 ATDA

In 1955 Convair won the prime contract for Atlas ICBM.The liquid oxygen and kerosene vehicle was designed to carry a thermonuclear warhead over 7000 miles. The Atlas was unique in its “stage and half” design in which two of its main engines were shed to reduce weight after two minutes of flight, while the central sustainer continued to burn. In order to minimize sustainer tank weight (used also for booster engines), Convair employeed balloon construction. Flights of Atlas began on June 11, 1957, with the launch of Atlas A powered by booster alone. In November 1958, an Atlas B reached full design range, and the operational Atlas D was deployed in 1960.
ATDA launched by our Atlas booster was used as target vehicle for Gemini 9 mission. Gemini 9 had easily completed a rendezvous with the ATDA, but docking was not possible (because the shroud which covered the docking apparatus during launch was not succesfully jettisoned).

Photo of all NW025 kit parts. Detail photos of some parts can be found on special page.