Project Emily, the UK's British nuclear deterrent

Image: Thor missile being lifted onto pad. Credit: mediastorehouse

Between 1959 and 1963, the UK made its own British nuclear deterrent using the American-built Thor rocket, also known as the PGM-17. The Thor rocket was the first member of the Delta rocket family.

What is the history of Thor?

The first ever launch of the Thor missile was conducted on September 20, 1957, and it continued to launch 19 rockets in 1970. The Thor rocket was tested due to the current threat from the USSR.

The sites

The UK had multiple sites for the Thor missile to launch at; they were located at various RAF bases, making the Thor missile easy and accessible to launch from everywhere in England.

Image: Thor's launch sites. Credit: MilitaryHistories

RAF Driffield

Image: RAF Driffield from above Credit: MilitaryHistories

RAF Driffield was located in the East Riding of Yorkshire, in a town named Driffield. The remains of the site can be seen today.

Image: RAF Driffield seen from google maps in the modern day. Credit: Google

AFB Vandenburg

The RAF also used AFB Vandenburg for its launches of the Thor rocket, located in California. They might have used this site due to Thor's being made in the US, and it would have been easier to launch them there.

Image: RAF Thor missile at AFB Vandenberg. Credit: Twitter

Wrap up

This article may have been shorter than my others, but I assure you there is more to come! Stay tuned friends, this is Ownitt, signing out.