The first twelve missiles were built at Redstone Arsenal.
 Assembly of the first Redstone began in the fall of 1952.
 Engineers needed a propulsion test stand to improve the missile, but they were not allowed to spend research and development funds on constructing facilities even for a cause vital to national security.
 Rather than wait for funding to go through the two-year Congressional appropriation process, then wait further for construction, Fritz A. Vandersee designed an interim test stand for $25,000, the maximum amount allowed.
 The large concrete foundation cost nearly all of the money.
 On this base, welders built a small stand with metal salvaged from around the arsenal.
 Three railroad tank cars that had been used to transport chemicals at the arsenal during the war were cleaned, modified, and buried 300 feet (91 m) away to serve as control and observation bunkers.
 To view the firings, the tanks also contain two periscopes believed to have been from two surplus Army tanks.

When workers assembled the first Redstone missile at Redstone Arsenal in spring of 1953, the Redstone Interim Test Stand stood ready.
 A crane hoisted the missile (without the warhead) onto the stand and placed a frame atop the missile.
 Cables were attached to the frame to steady the missile.
 After extensive tests, workers fueled the missile and fired the engine for tests lasting no more than 15 seconds.
 After several successful test runs, the missile went to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the test flight.
 Launches provided valuable information on the guidance system, but most improvements on the propulsion system came from lessons learned at the Interim Test Stand, where engineers could evaluate the internal workings of the propulsion system while it was firmly anchored to the ground.
 A total of fourteen tests were performed with the first four missiles.

Before congressional appropriation and construction of permanent facilities was completed, the engineers used the information gained during static testing at the Interim Stand to steadily improve the Redstone system.
 The next eight missiles stood for twenty-two tests.
 The tower to the left of the missile (shown above right) is the Cold Calibration Unit, built in 1954.
 It held only the Redstone's alcohol and liquid oxygen tanks, pumps, valves and flow meters in various configurations.
 The liquids flowed into another set of tanks and were used to test and calibrate the valves and flow meters to assure that accurate measurements were made during the static fire testing and to assure a proper alcohol to oxygen mixture ratio.
 Oxygen-rich propellant mixtures had caused most engine explosions in the early years of liquid rocket development.

In the original version of the facility, flames were directed in a trench beneath the rocket in two opposite directions.
 In December 1955, workers installed a new more durable elbow-shaped flame deflector designed by Rocketdyne engineer Carl Kassner.
 Water injected through small holes in the elbow quickly turned to steam, keeping the flame away from the metal elbow.
The first twelve missiles were built at Redstone Arsenal.  Assembly of the first Redstone began in the fall of 1952.  Engineers needed a propulsion test stand to improve the missile, but they were not allowed to spend research and development funds on constructing facilities even for a cause vital to national security.  Rather than wait for funding to go through the two-year Congressional appropriation process, then wait further for construction, Fritz A. Vandersee designed an interim test stand for $25,000, the maximum amount allowed.  The large concrete foundation cost nearly all of the money.  On this base, welders built a small stand with metal salvaged from around the arsenal.  Three railroad tank cars that had been used to transport chemicals at the arsenal during the war were cleaned, modified, and buried 300 feet (91 m) away to serve as control and observation bunkers.  To view the firings, the tanks also contain two periscopes believed to have been from two surplus Army tanks.
When workers assembled the first Redstone missile at Redstone Arsenal in spring of 1953, the Redstone Interim Test Stand stood ready.  A crane hoisted the missile (without the warhead) onto the stand and placed a frame atop the missile.  Cables were attached to the frame to steady the missile.  After extensive tests, workers fueled the missile and fired the engine for tests lasting no more than 15 seconds.  After several successful test runs, the missile went to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for the test flight.  Launches provided valuable information on the guidance system, but most improvements on the propulsion system came from lessons learned at the Interim Test Stand, where engineers could evaluate the internal workings of the propulsion system while it was firmly anchored to the ground.  A total of fourteen tests were performed with the first four missiles.
Before congressional appropriation and construction of permanent facilities was completed, the engineers used the information gained during static testing at the Interim Stand to steadily improve the Redstone system.  The next eight missiles stood for twenty-two tests.  The tower to the left of the missile (shown above right) is the Cold Calibration Unit, built in 1954.  It held only the Redstone's alcohol and liquid oxygen tanks, pumps, valves and flow meters in various configurations.  The liquids flowed into another set of tanks and were used to test and calibrate the valves and flow meters to assure that accurate measurements were made during the static fire testing and to assure a proper alcohol to oxygen mixture ratio.  Oxygen-rich propellant mixtures had caused most engine explosions in the early years of liquid rocket development.
In the original version of the facility, flames were directed in a trench beneath the rocket in two opposite directions.  In December 1955, workers installed a new more durable elbow-shaped flame deflector designed by Rocketdyne engineer Carl Kassner.  Water injected through small holes in the elbow quickly turned to steam, keeping the flame away from the metal elbow.
Redstone Test Stand