UPDATED June 21 , 2007

23 years presenting American underground drama

MEMBERS GO TO MOVIES

One of the spectacular Jack Levy photos of the AJ-260. The motor used a small starter motor to ignite the main engine. Rumor insist that on the first test, the device was blown out several miles. As was not considered a prudent situation, Two large concrete caissons were built and steel laniards attached tp keep the starter motor from leaving the area. Close examination of the photo, and the cables are visible. Today both the caissons and the cables are in place at the ruins. This was likely firing 2, and in the first second of ignition.

Another Levy photo. Levy ran a camera shop in Homestead, Florida, just off of Krome Avenue (US 27) he was contracted by Aerojet to photograph all the launch. Most of his photography was lost at his death. The building is about 45 feet high and is on rollers. This covered the firing tube while work was accomplished for the motor. At firing, the entire building was rolled back. The control center for the firing was in a submerged blockhouse about 2 km to the south.

Below, the final AJ-260 produced still sits in it’s firing tube in the middle of the everglades. This photo was taken by a visitor who stuffed the lens of his camera into a crack in the steel cover and as a shaft of sunlight lit the side of the motor, took this sensational photo. The old bird looks good for having been in this hole for 50 years. Above this photo is a photo of the motor being prepared for testing 50 years ago, when America didn’t waste it’s money on useless wars, and instead planned great adventures.

More Photos

MORE PHOTOS ON AEROJET 2