Our next stop was the
Titan Missile Museum. I was moderately interested upon entering and completely fascinated while there. This is a great museum.
A poster that gave insight into why we “needed” to have enough weapons to completely destroy the USSR fifty times over.
Some good artifacts.
Hint to person from the past: I don’t know if that outfit would help very much.
Alas, not the proper orientation. But here’s what you need to do to launch the missile.
These safes were where the instructions were kept. Each shift changed out the locks.
I found the deactivation part quite interesting, especially the part about leaving the silos exposed.
We saw a video of the missiles being launched before heading out to the site. The launches were test launches and all 42 hit their mark. I’m wondering if at twelve million 1960 dollars apiece, we couldn’t have just called it good at say, ten missiles tested.
Our tour guide was Hans (on the left.) Hans opened by telling us he did have an accent and it was a German accent. He further informed us that he could give us a tour without an accent, but he would have to talk in German. I greatly enjoyed Hans.
Pointing out various parts of the missile.
First look at the missile.
The hole was cut in the top as part of the treaty. This is the only missile and silo remaining, so there needed to be a way to show it was not operational. When they cut the hole, they had to leave it above ground for a month so the Russian satellites could see it.
A different kind of “duck and cover.” This duck and cover was to see the missile through the glass.
Silo door information.
To the right you can see the concrete blocks that keep the cover from opening completely. This is part of the treaty. A cover that does not open all the way is unable to launch the missile.
Hans and the concrete blocks.
Going into the silo.
Inside the silo. Notice the thick walls, ready to withstand bombardment.
In the control room.
Everything in the silo is suspended on springs to help it survive a missile bombardment. The control room itself is a giant birdcage with massive springs suspending it.
The file cabinet with the codes along with launching equipment.
Clock showing Greenwich Mean Time.
This clock is your local time.
Walking through the hallways.
Looking at the Silo.
“No Lone Zone” meant that at least two people had to be in this area together. This was standard throughout the silo.
The eyewash in this station expired in March of 1984
Another great example of the springs.
Should you need to decontaminate…
Some protective gear.
To enter the silo, you had to read a code to the current crew. Upon entering, you had to burn the code and drop the ashes into this red can.
All the missile sites around Tuscon.
The “protection through power” motto was all over the missiles. I find the “protection through power” motto quite amusing. And convenient, for defense contractors.
The museum’s official title.
One of five radio towers.
