US Army Chaparral Missile - US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL
N 34° 42.632 W 086° 39.334
16S E 531541 N 3840996
US Army Chaparral Missiles and Launch Vehicle on static display outside of the Main Exhibit Building at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville AL
Waymark Code: WMWXMR
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 10/26/2017
Views: 2
There are dozens of rockets, missiles, missile launchers, and other aircraft on static display outside of the Main Exhibit Building at the US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL.
The waymarked US Army Chaparral Missiles are located near the Space Shot ride.
An interpretive sign reads as follows:
"US ARMY CHAPARRAL
The Chaparral is a mobile light air defense system with a turret mounted on a track vehicle carrying four ready to fire missiles. It was the U.S. Army’s standard short range, low altitude defense system that provided point defense of vital corps areas against direct air attack. The gunner manually aims through an optical site at the target, and the missile automatically locks onto the heat produced by the target’s engine.
Although US forces have never fired a Chaparral in combat, US allies have successfully used it under such conditions.
The chaparral has been deactivated and removed from the U.S. Army’s inventory."
Type of Aircraft: (make/model): Chaparral Missile
Construction:: original aircraft
Location (park, airport, museum, etc.): US Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville AL
inside / outside: outside
Access restrictions: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Tail Number: (S/N): Not listed
Other Information:: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Photo of aircraft (required - will be interesting to see if the aircraft is ever repainted or progress if being restored)
Photo of serial number (required unless there is not one or it is a replica)
Photo(s) of any artwork on the aircraft (optional but interesting)
Tell why you are visiting this waymark along with any other interesting facts or personal experiences about the aircraft not already mentioned.