Bristol Bloodhound Reload Trailer

Along with Bloodhound missiles displayed in the RAAF Museum's Technology Hangar, and on exterior display, another component of this weapons system is the reload trailer. This item was used to move complete missiles from preparation areas and fit them to the launcher. These trailers were therefore fitted with hydraulic rams to lift the missiles into position, and in the case of using these weapons in an operational scenario, would have been required to reload a missile battery after firing.

The Reload Trailer at the RAAF Museum was stored outside for many years following the retirement of the Bloodhound from service in 1969, and has been under restoration by our 'Rocket Scientists', a group of Museum Volunteers who have previously restored the Bloodhound missile currently on display in the Technology Hangar. Over the past three years, this group has completely stripped the trailer and its component parts, before treating corrosion and protecting these parts, prior to painting and re-assembly. At this stage only minor work is required to finish this task, and the trailer will most likely make way for the group's next project.

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