Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Matador
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021
1. Matador Marker
The Matador was the first guided missile ever deployed by the United States Air Force. This surface-to-surface missile was capable of carrying a conventional or nuclear warhead. Development began in 1945 and the first Matador unit was deployed overseas in West Germany in 1954. Phaseout began in 1959 in favor of the "Mace."
Length: 39 ft. 6 in. Span: 28 ft. 7 in. Diameter: 4 ft 6 in.
Weight: 12,000 lb. Range: 700 mi. Speed: 650 mph
Warhead: W-5 or conventional
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 35° 3.948′ N, 106° 32.111′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Kirtland Air Force Base. It is on Eubank Boulevard SE south of Southern Boulevard SE, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. A fee is necessary to access the marker. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Albuquerque NM 87123, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American Southwest. Globally,
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bomarc (a few steps from this marker); Mace (a few steps from this marker); Snark (within shouting distance of this marker); LGM-118A Peacekeeper (within shouting distance of this marker); Hound Dog (within shouting distance of this marker); B-47E Stratojet (within shouting distance of this marker); Titan II ICBM (within shouting distance of this marker); Jupiter (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, August 23, 2021
2. Matador and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 217 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 8, 2021, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia.
