Rapier is a British surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. Entering service in 1971, it eventually replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in Army service; guns for low-altitude targets, and the English Electric Thunderbird, used against longer-range and higher-altitude targets. As the expected air threat moved from medium-altitude strategic missions to low-altitude strikes, the fast reaction time and high maneuverability of the Rapier made it more formidable than either of these weapons, replacing most of them by 1977. It remains the UK's primary air-defence weapon after almost 35 years of service, and its deployment is expected to continue until 2020.
The nose cone, main body and fins are all made from a magnetic metal (probably steel) while the rear or aft section appears to be cast from plaster or some other non-metallic and dense material.
The smaller paired sets of swiveling fins (also steel) move together with ease if twisted by hand.
~ Markings ~
It is stencilled in yellow with:
INERT
and
INSTRUCTIONAL USE
~ Condition ~
The missile is in good order with minor wear to the paint.
~ Dimensions ~
The missile has a length of 2.230 metres and a diameter of 12cm.
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