A bit of a history lesson for you history buffs. Operation Bumblebee, 1946-1948. The bumblebee cannot fly, but, the bumblebee doesn't know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway. Well aware that this new undertaking to develop a supersonic guided missile for the Navy would face impossible challenges, Dr. Merle Tuve named the project "Bumblebee" The concrete structures on the island have stood the test of time. On the heels of WWII, Topsail Island (know as sand spit) was seized by the US Government for use as a secret missile test site.Their aim was to develop a supersonic missile that could swiftly reach out ten to twenty miles to hit and destroy an air threat. Eight concrete observation towers were built to house timing instruments and cameras to record performance data.Today several "Bumblebee" towers can be seen around the island.
Downtown Surf City, this "Bumblebee" is a private residence.
Another hangs on the dune.
Yet another incorporated into a business structure.
The former assembly building was used for missile storage and assembly. It is a hardened structure with reinforced walls, built on four feet of concrete secured by 20 foot pilings. Now used for social events and special town events. Topsail Island has quite a history. Come on down!
A bit of a history lesson for you history buffs. Operation Bumblebee, 1946-1948. The bumblebee cannot fly, but, the bumblebee doesn't know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway. Well aware that this new undertaking to develop a supersonic guided missile for the Navy would face impossible challenges, Dr. Merle Tuve named the project "Bumblebee" The concrete structures on the island have stood the test of time. On the heels of WWII, Topsail Island (know as sand spit) was seized by the US Government for use as a secret missile test site.Their aim was to develop a supersonic missile that could swiftly reach out ten to twenty miles to hit and destroy an air threat. Eight concrete observation towers were built to house timing instruments and cameras to record performance data.Today several "Bumblebee" towers can be seen around the island.
Downtown Surf City, this "Bumblebee" is a private residence.
Another hangs on the dune.
Yet another incorporated into a business structure.
The former assembly building was used for missile storage and assembly. It is a hardened structure with reinforced walls, built on four feet of concrete secured by 20 foot pilings. Now used for social events and special town events. Topsail Island has quite a history. Come on down!
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