Guided Missiles at Hatfield
By Robert Gill
Following the ending of World War 2, Hatfield became a centre for the design, development and testing of guided missiles. Work began in the late 1940s – early 1950s by de Havilland (Propellers) to the west of the existing de Havilland airfield in facilities which had been used during the war for development and testing of aircraft propellers. By the early 1960s, the company became Hawker Siddeley Dynamics which in turn became British Aerospace Dynamics, and later BAe Systems (Guided Weapons Division) until closure of the site in 1990.
A range of missiles were designed and developed including:
- Firestreak – Air-to-Air Missile, deployed on the RAF Javelin, Lightning and Royal Navy Sea Vixen aircraft
- Red Top – Air-to-Air Missile, deployed on the RAF and Royal Saudi Lightning and Royal Navy Sea Vixen aircraft
- Blue Streak – Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile
- Martel – Air-to-Surface TV guided & Anti-Radar missile – it was an Anglo-French development deployed on the RAF Buccaneer and French Air Force Jaguar and Mirage aircraft
- Sea Slug – Surface-to-Air (ship-launched) Missile, deployed on the Royal Navy County class destroyers
- Sea Dart – Surface-to-Air (ship-launched) Missile, deployed on the Royal Navy Type 42 class destroyers and for a time the Invincible class aircraft carriers
- Sky Flash – Air-to-Air Missile, deployed on the RAF Phantom and Tornado F3, Royal Saudi Air Force Tornado F3 and Swedish Air Force Viggen aircraft
- Sea Eagle – Air-Launched Anti-Ship Missile, deployed on the RAF Buccaneer, Sea Harrier and Tornado GR1 aircraft. Also Indian Air Force Sea Harrier, Jaguar and Sea King helicopter
- ALARM – Air-Launched Anti-Radar Missile, deployed on the RAF Tornado GR1 aircraft
More about Blue Streak
Blue Streak was cancelled as a nuclear delivery vehicle but was a successful first stage of a satellite launch vehicle (ELDO). The Blue Streak design office was initially in London and then later in Stevenage. Hatfield was the centre for a variety of ground-system tests which continued until the ELDO system was cancelled.
The Blue Streak missile structure was built at the de Havillands/Hawker Siddeley Aviation facility and was then transferred to Stevenage for final assembly and checkout.
More about Sea Slug and Sea Dart
Both Sea Slug and Sea Dart were originally developed by Armstrong Whitworth (later Hawker Siddeley Dynamics) at Whitley near Coventry, and transferred to Hatfield at closure of that site in the late 1960s.
Further Information
For more information visit the RAF Museums at RAF Hendon and RAF Cosford (www.rafmuseum.org.uk) and Imperial War Museum at Duxford (www.duxford.iwm.org.uk) – [links open in separate tabs]
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I worked at HS Dynamics from 1970 to 1975 when I emigrated to CANADA. I recall Mr Lightbody was head of engineering but sadly died of cancer around ‘73. I think Richard West took over. We enjoyed our sporty lunch hours when we played football, run around the runway or go swimming in Hatfield etc then grab a sandwich in the clubhouse. I also recall the amazing dinning facilities depending on your level in the hierarchy.
I was a student engineering apprentice at HSD in 1962/3. I remember the static firing testing of Blue Streak rocket engine. It lit up the sky and was very loud. I was in the students dorm at the time. They made us young guys (18 yr) sign the Official Secrets Act . Hopefully after nearly 60 years it is OK to talk about it.
My father worked at Dynamics for many years and I grew up hearing about these missiles – it’s still interesting to me now – I think his area was electromagnetic compatibility. I remember going to the social club as a child – snooker room, darts, space invader machines. The air displays were a huge event every year and I knew Dad was proud that he worked at BAe.
Joined HSD at end of 1974 and worked on the design, development and testing of the Skyflash missile. Involved with the USA flight trials but never got to go over to USA. Left to join BAe at Filton at start of 1978. Was involved with the Dog Training Club at the Social Club with Ms D J Lavender from the Design Offices.
My first job out of college in 1984 was working on the ALARM Missile Test Set as part of Les Jukes’ “Systems Design” department in “Y” Block. Working for Eric Wharmby (best first boss ever) and Dave Pratley with Roger Kilner, Chris Francis and others.
Msg for Douglas Hamilton. Were you at Propellers during Norman Hadwin’s era? Not sure of the dates. Or when the Brittania crashed in Bristol with Hatfield staff on board?
Did my apprenticeship from 1981 to 1985 Then spent 2 1/2 years in the development support department. Before moving and spending 32 years in the printing industry. Loved my time at Hatfield
I was the senior flight test observer at De Havilland Propellers at Hatfield involve in testing the TV guided system on a Sea Vixen FAW1 with a modfied nose containing a captive TV system with a display in the “Coal Hole” The system was blanked out until the skipper switched it on, leaving me to try and verbally guide the plane to various targets. Not easy!
I spent 5 very happy years at Hawker Siddeley Dynamics starting in the mailing office in 1965. Our boss, Rose Baillie was great fun. After 18 months I was transfered to Air Conditioning Dept over in NP3 as a clerk/typist then being promoted to Secretary to Derek Eastwell who was the Chief Engineer. I have always been proud of the fact that we worked on the prototype Concorde and have always retained a soft spot for that aircraft. I spent most nights in the clubhouse either playing darts, practice netball, rehearsing the revue shows or attending the dances. Very happy days.