Coliseum Central in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Nike-Ajax
Lower/Upper Stage • Army • SAM
— Air Power Park Tour —
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017
1. Nike-Ajax Marker
Nike-Ajax is the first U.S. surface-to-air missile. The original Nike program was begun in 1945 and over 10,000 Nike-Ajax missiles serviced over 100 sites in 15 defense areas within the U.S. including the Hampton Roads area.
A two-stage missile, Nike-Ajax is accelerated to supersonic speed buy a Nike solid-fuel booster, which drops off, and the Ajax 2nd stage liquid-fuel rocket takes over. Guidance is by radar command. Nike-Ajax was replaced by the more capable Nike-Hercules in 1958.
Erected by Air Power Park. (Marker Number 015.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.
Location. 37° 2.593′ N, 76° 21.94′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Coliseum Central. Marker can be reached from West Mercury Boulevard (U.S. 258) west of LaSalle Avenue (Virginia Route 167), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 413 W Mercury Blvd, Hampton VA 23666, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ajax (a few steps from this marker); RF-4C Phantom II (a few steps from this marker); A-2 Polaris (a few steps from this marker); F-105D Thunderchief
this page online
Photographed By Bernard Fisher, May 28, 2017
2. Nike-Ajax Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 31, 2017, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.
