If you've ever driven Memorial Parkway through Huntsville, you may have noticed the small missile standing at the intersection with Airport Road. This A-1 rocket was part of Project Hermes, the second missile program of the U.S. Army which operated from November 1944 until December 1954. White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico was the Army's test site, where U.S. missile research was combined with parts for 100 V-2 rockets and scientists such as Werner Von Braun, all captured in Germany.
General Electric was the American contractor for the program; development of the A-1 began in 1946. The Hermes A-1 was similar to the German anti-aircraft Missile Wasserfall, which was about a fourth the size of a V-2. Five were launched at White Sands between May 1950 and April 1951.
As the Wikipedia entry notes, "None of the Hermes missiles became operational, but did provide experience in the design, construction, and handling of large-scale missiles and rocket engines." An historical marker near this missile explains that this particular Program Hermes rocket was the first American guided missile put on public display on May 13, 1953. The marker itself was erected by the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce in 1956.
This relic has stood near the old airport site while the city around it has grown tremendously. A 1951 color film about Project Hermes can be watched on YouTube. GE's final report on the project can be read at the Internet Archive.
