The nose cone-less Viking no. 9 undergoes a static test firing on December 9, 1952, six days prior to its successful launch from Launch Complex 35 (LC-35), White Sands Proving Ground (WSPG), New Mexico.
A similarly nose cone-less Viking no. 1 is seen during a static test firing at LC-33:
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Credit: Andrew LePage/Drew ExMachina website
"Viking 9 was the first to be launched from LC-35 after the program was relocated there from LC-33 in 1952. Numerous changes were made to Viking 9 to prevent a reoccurrence of the inadvertent Viking 8 launch, which had resulted from a series of mechanical and electrical failures. A gantry crane and a blast pit were added to LC-35 to support the Viking launches, and Viking 9 blasted off from LC-35 on December 5, 1952. Viking 9 was mostly successful, but its maximum altitude of 135 miles was below expectations due to an incorrect propellant ratio."
Above at/from:
wsmrmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/LC-33-Report-Ju...
Credit: White Sands Missile Range Museum website
Prior to this rare photo, I had no idea there even was a Launch Complex 35, or that it was used for Viking launches…let alone it having a flame trench! Did you?!?
I thought all Vikings were launched from LC-33, from its simple launch pedestal, mounted upon what I assumed to have been just a ground-level concrete 'pad'. Apparently WRONG. Mr. LePage’s above linked photo reveals LC-33 to also have had a flame trench. I’ll be darned!
I wonder what the support structure under construction in the background is?
A wonderful website, with additional photos:
www.postwarv2.com/viking/sphotos/photos.html
Specifically, I assume taken a moment earlier:
www.postwarv2.com/viking/sphotos/34290.jpg
Both above credit: William Beggs/"Postwar V-2" website
