Skylark rockets in Australia were associated with important early research into ultra-violet and X-ray astronomy, fields in which Australia was a world leader (with Britain) at the time. Several significant astronomical discoveries were made using instruments carried aloft from Woomera on Skylark rockets.

The Skylark rocket was originally designed by the Royal Aeronautical Establishment (RAE) of the UK between 1954 and 1956. The first flight occurred in 1957, launched from Woomera.

Initially Skylark rockets were built by the RAE in conjunction with the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC, which became the British Aircraft Corporation in 1960). BAC provided the 'powerplant' or rocket engines. The rockets were assembled at the Woolich Arsenal near London, with components manufactured at various BAC divisions, such as Bristol Aerojet. In 1969, BAC took over the complete supervision and operation of Skylark manufacturing.

1 in 5 Skylarks launched at Woomera were manufactured in Australia by the Weapons Research Establishment, at Salisbury South Australia, with the assistance of Bristol Aerojet's Australian subsidiary, based near the WRE facility. There is no way to determine if this Skylark was Australian or British manufactured.

Variants of the Skylark rocket incorporating Goldfinch boost motors were flown from Woomera between 1968 and 1979. There is no information on the rocket itself to provide any more specific date, but a label on the pressure vessel within the associated box of parts includes a pressure test date of 1970.

The Skylark was the most widely used sounding rocket at the Woomera Rocket Range: it is also one of the most widely used in the world. Between 1957 and 79, more than 200 Skylarks, in various configurations, were launched from Woomera carrying Australian, British, American and European research instruments and experiments. Modern versions of the Skylark are still used around the world today for high altitude research. The 'Skylark with Goldfinch booster' variant, introduced in 1968, was used for heavy payloads and could reach altitudes of 270km.

Rocket, sounding, Skylark, metal, used at Woomera Rocket Range, designed by Royal Aeronautical Establishment (RAE) / made by Bristol Aeroplane Co (BAC)/ Weapons Research Establishment, England / Australia, 1968-1979

Two stage Skylark sounding (sub-orbital) rocket, consisting of a 'Goldfinch' rocket motor first (boost) stage and a 'Raven' upper stage. The first and second stage rocket motors are painted white, with three black stabilising fins set equidistantly around the second stage. The Goldfinch motor has a thin faded-red band painted around it, near the top of the first stage. Its rocket bell is damaged, being partly 'compacted' as if from impact on the ground. The nosecone is of polished metal (probably stainless-steel) and appears to be an empty shell, without interior fittings. A black pipe tube, part of its display mounting at the museum, is clamped along one side of the rocket. It was auction lot 1619.

This Skylark appears to have been restored from damaged components, possibly acquired by Mr. Rohrlach on his Woomera 'expedition' of 1988. Although this rocket may be a 'restored' or recreated example, it still represents its type accurately. The biography of Kevin Rohrlach; "What Next Already: The Life and Times of Kevin Rohrlach" by Martin Voake, relates that (p.231), with approval from employees of the Defence Department Mr. Rohrlach made a salvaging expedition into the Woomera Range in 1988 and recovered two damaged Skylark rockets, which were combined into complete rocket for display in the Rohrlach Heritage Galllery. Although the 'restored' rocket described in the book is not the one acquired by the Powerhouse, Mr. Rohrlach may also have acquired the components for this museum's acquisition at the same time. An un-substantiated reference to one of the Skylark's at the Rohrlach Gallery (not specified which), to be found on the website www.postcards.sa.com.au/features/rohrlach_museum.htm mentioned that it was supposed to have been found on Billacanoona Station.

Although not mentioned in the auction catalogue, the Skylark was delivered with an associated cardboard box containing some miscellaneous parts as follows:
i) Skylark Pressure Vessel. This small metal cylinder has a handwritten label attached, stating "6,300 psi/ from Skylark Rocket" (presumably attached at Rohrlach Heritage Gallery). It is 140mm in diameter and 350mm in length. It carries 3 manufacturer's labels printed on silver adhesive:
"Bristol Aerojet ( in company logo style)/ Banwell Weston Super Mare/ [data faded]"

"The total number of inflations of/ this vessel must not exceed/ 1000 inflations to 2800 P.S.I./ or greater/ Bristol Aerojet Ltd. Banwell W.S.M."

"Proof tested 6300 P.S.iI/Date 20-1-70 Insp. [blank]"

ii) 2 black painted metal [Aluminium?] pipes. Each is 225mm in length and 42mm in diameter.

iii) 3 hexagonal nuts and 1 flat washer, all originally painted black. Two nuts are identical, with dimensions 38mm diameter and 22mm thick. The third nut is 47mm in diameter and 26mm thick. The washer is 52mm in diameter and 1mm thick.

The pipes and the nuts may be part of the original mounting of the rocket outside the Rohrlach Gallery. They do not appear to have any direct or obvious association with the rocket.

Maker: unknown; 1968 - 1979

2003/218/1

1968 - 1979

16.4 m