D-6 - Western Views
It is interesting that the D-6 project after the termination of works was not forgotten. In some sources it is reported that several demonstration mock-ups were collected on the basis of the materials of this project. On November 7, 1962 during the military parade on Red Square the AT-T tractors passed by transport trolleys in tow. The latter housed rocket models, which are considered one of the weapons options for the D-6 complex.
On 17 January 1963, FLIGHT International provided sketches of the military rockets which have been seen in parades through Red Square: "This ballistic missile is perhaps the most notable weapon yet to have appeared in a Soviet parade. It was first seen on November 7 last year, and is undoubtedly of a considerably later basic design than the larger weapons B and E. It appears to have a length of some 46ft 6in and a maximum diameter of 5ft 6in. It almost certainly has two (possibly three) stages of propulsion, separated by a lengthy tapering transition section. There seems no doubt that it uses solid propellants. and from the aft closure of the first stage project seven cylindrical nozzles (seven nozzles are found in many Russian artillery rockets). The re-entry vehicle has a nose radius of at least 9in. The weapon is mounted on a stoutly constructed trailer, towed by a large and powerful tracked prime mover, based originally upon the T-54 medium tank and widely used throughout the Soviet armed forces. On the cab doors are painted naval insignia, and 16 sailors occupy the bench seats. According to Izvestia, this missile can be "fired from under water or from the ocean's surface." It seems probable that this missile is accommodated in vertical launch tubes occupying the whole depth of the submarine from keel to the top of the conning-tower sail."
Later such products were demonstrated several times on other parades. The same mock-ups were shown at the parade on May 1, 1963, and then they were shown several more times, including at the parade in Leningrad. Western observers identified the missiles as "SS-N-4 SARK", which later was assigned to the missile R-13 liquid fuel complex D-2. Later, this name was transferred to the SLBM R-13. Also in the part of the sources of 1970-1980s the rocket was identified as "SS-N-5 SERB", which was simply an error (this is the name of the R-21 missile ).
The parade was shown at least two options for transport trailer, towed rocket layout artillery tractor. It is estimated that United States and NATO starting weight of a rocket could be about 19-20 tons and she must have a firing range at 650-700 km.
The "parade" models of the D-6 missiles had significant differences from their combat prototypes. For example, the second stage instead of a cylindrical body received a design of two conical parts and a relatively narrow cylindrical section. The cylindrical part, located behind the head fairing, was also extended. Instead of a block of nozzles on the bottom of the first stage, a set of six or seven pipes simulating engine assemblies was attached. Starting engines at the head were missing.
Karpenko reports that "The layout was specifically made for parades to demonstrate the military power of the Soviet Union and a potential enemy disinformation. It has been shown that the missile has two stages and should be on solid fuels. Layout length was -15 14.5 m, without starting engines-13.2 m, without the head part-11.7 m Maximum diameter was 1.75 -1.8 m. Stages have different diameter, the second stage diameter 1.5 m length of first stage was 6.3 m, second — 3.4 m. abroad the missile received a NATO code SS-N-4 Sark, which later was assigned to the missile r-13 liquid fuel complex d-2. The parade was shown at least two options for transport trailer, towed rocket layout artillery tractor. It is estimated that United States and NATO starting weight of a rocket could be about 19-20 tons and she must have a firing range at 650-700 km."
As recently as 1973, Flight International reported that "The first-generation Russian SLBM, Sark was displayed in Moscow in 1962. It probably entered service the previous year in 12 Gl-class diesel-powered submarines, fitted with three vertical launch tubes in the conning tower. The nine early Hl-class nuclear submarines also had three Sark tubes similarly mounted, but have now been converted to take SS-N-5s and have been redesignated H2."
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