Historical Photos of Nike Site PI-37
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This is the Herminie Nike Site, PI-37, as it appeared on 1May, 1960.
(Cold War Note: This is the same date that Gary Powers and his U2 Spy Plane was shot down by a Russian SA-2 missile while over the Soviet Union)
Although not readily apparent in these US Army photos, Site modifications for the conversion from Nike Ajax to the Basic Nike Hercules had been completed just six months prior, in November, 1959. The FIPSY Early Warning Radar can be seen in the Integrated Fire Control Area (IFC), off the road, near the rear of the Mess Hall.
Visible in the Launcher Control Area photo, are the Dog Kennels and Exclusion Area Guard Post/fencing that were additions for the Hercules upgrade. Visible also in B-Section, is a Hercules missile on launcher 4, with a Portable Hoisting Unit nearby.
The Herminie Nike Site, PI-37, was originally planned as a Double Nike Site, hence the large fenced areas in both the IFC and LC Areas.
Thanks to Jim Plassio for these photos.
Herminie Nike Site, PI-37, as it appeared in 1963.
In this photo of the IFC Area, the HIPAR (High-Power Acquisition Radar) and HIPAR building has taken the place of the FIPSY Early Warning Radar. Also, the Target Ranging Radar (TRR) has been added.
This was the new Improved Hercules System. It greatly improved the acquisition and tracking capabilities to fully exploit the missile’s greater performance. Other improvements to the TTR and TRR resulted in greater ECM resistance.
The Water Tank by the Main Gate has been painted with “Welcome to B Btry”, thanks to Bob Davis and his artistic talent.
Thanks to Jack Boggs for these US Army photos.
Herminie Nike Site, PI-37, 1968.
This photo shows the addition of the 100 ft. Microwave tower that was added to the Site for additional communications backup.
Thanks to Harry McMackin for this US Army photo.