Black Knight

This is a 1:1 replica of the first British expandable rocket.

After Britain saw USA and USSR stock up on missiles, it wanted to develop its own. Project was called Blue Streak. But before flying they had to gain experience in building and launching rockets. Black Knight was an experimental research missile that could reach altitude of up to 1000 km. Between 1958 and 1965 it launched 22 times from Woomera, Australia and proved Britain can do rockets (Blue Streak was later cancelled for being too expensive).

First stage was powered by 4-chamber Gamma engine (HTP-1/RP-1). It was later used on the first British orbital rocket – Black Arrow. Black Knight had an optional solid second stage – Cuckoo 2.