US MGM-1 ''Matador'' Missile

By Crusader1307

The ''Matador” was a US Cold War Era Missile which incorporated many WWII German Rocket designs and applications. Deployed in 1952, The MGM-1 was also one of the first to incorporate The WWII “Fat Man” Nuclear Device, streamlined into a Warhead (40-Kilotons). Weighing 12,000-pounds, The “Matador” was 40-feet long with wing stabilizers that were 30-feet in length. It also used a 55,000-pound thrust Turbojet supporting a Solid Fuel Booster. Capable of 35,000-feet in operational range, The MGM-1 could travel 700-miles. It was considered a Medium Ranged Device, aimed at Enemy Ship and Concentrated Troops deployments. Radar guided, The “Matador” was launched via Sled Erectors. Over 1,200 of them were deployed to South Korea, The South Pacific and in Germany. 2 1/1 Ton Trucks were used to move The MGM-1 into deployment. A “Battery” (4 Missiles) were each manned by a Crew of (7). The US Air Force had primary responsibilities for deployment. A major problem (as with most Missiles of The Era), was accuracy. (12) variations were manufactured, with their deactivation in 1962 – due to more advanced Missile designs becoming available. Many MGM-1 Missiles have survived in Museums throughout The World.