Home > California > Azusa%2Bvicinity > Variable Angle Launcher Complex, Camera Stations, CA State Highway 39 at Morris Reservior, Azusa, Los Angeles County, CA
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Item Title
Variable Angle Launcher Complex, Camera Stations, CA State Highway 39 at Morris Reservior, Azusa, Los Angeles County, CA
LocationCA State Highway 39 at Morris Reservior,
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Created/Published
Documentation compiled after 1968.
Notes
Survey number HAER CA-169-C
Building/structure dates:
1948 initial construction
Significance: Morris Dam Test Facility (MDTF) was built at the Morris Dam Reservoir for the purpose of obtaining basic hydrodynamic data for use in design and development of Naval Ordinance, particularly air-to-water projectiles. The Variable-Angle Launcher (VAL) and its predecessor, the Fixed-Angle Launder (FAL) were a consolidated effort between the scientific and military research and development communities. The VAL was the only structure in the nation where full scale, air launched projectiles could be tested at high velocities and variable entry angles into a body of water. MDTF served as a valuable resource during WWII and the Cold War era, spanning over 50 years. This is a unique complex where the setting has been unaltered by major modern development. The design is unique and all of its material is original. The components exhibit high quality, professional workmanship typical of contemporary naval military facilities. The facility has retained its overall feeling and appearance from the Cold War Era maintaining a strong sense of time and place.
Collection
Historic American Engineering Record (Library of Congress)
Contents
Photograph caption(s):
1. VARIABLE-ANGLE LAUNCHER CAMERA STATION 1400 (BUILDING NO. 42021), VIEW OF EXTERIOR LOOKING NORTHEAST WITH CAMERA STATION IN 1100 (BUILDING NO. 42020) BACKGROUND.
2. VAL CAMERA STATION, VIEW OF EXTERIOR LOOKING NORTHEAST.
3. VAL CAMERA STATION, DETAIL OF ROOF OVERHANG AND EXPOSED CONCRETE SURFACES.
4. VAL CAMERA STATION, VIEW OF INTERIOR TOWARD EXTERIOR DOOR.
5. VAL CAMERA STATION, VIEW FROM INTERIOR OUT OF WINDOW OPENING TOWARD VAL FIRING RANGE LOOKING EAST WITH VARIABLE ANGLE LAUNCHER IN BACKGROUND.
6. VAL CAMERA STATION, VIEW FROM INTERIOR OUT OF WINDOW OPENING TOWARD VAL FIRING RANGE LOOKING SOUTHEAST WITH CAMERA MOUNT IN FOREGROUND.
7. VAL CAMERA STATION, INTERIOR VIEW OF CAMERA MOUNT, COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT AND STORAGE CABINET.
8. VAL CAMERA STATION, DETAIL OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT.
9. VIEW OF CAMERA STATIONS UNDER CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING CAMERA CAR ON RAILROAD TRACK AND FIXED CAMERA STATION 1400 (BUILDING NO. 42021) ABOVE, ADJACENT TO STATE HIGHWAY 39, LOOKING WEST, March 23, 1948. (Original photograph in possession of Dave Willis, San Diego, California.)
10. CONSTRUCTION OF FIXED CAMERA STATION 1100 (BUILDING NO. 42020) LOOKING NORTHEAST SHOWING CONCRETE FOUNDATION, WOOD FORMWORK AND STEEL REINFORCING, March 26, 1948. (Original photograph in possession of Dave Willis, San Diego, California.)
11. COMPLETED FIXED CAMERA STATION 1700 (BUILDING NO. 42022) LOOKING WEST SHOWING WINDOW OPENING FOR CAMERA, March 31, 1948. (Original photograph in possession of Dave Willis, San Diego, California.)
12. 22'X34' original blueprint, Variable-Angle Launcher, 'GENERAL SIDE VIEW CAMERA STATIONS' drawn at 1/2'=1'-0'. (BUORD Sketch # 209111).
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