Two giant Soviet Cold War missiles, including one the size of a bus, could be yours after being put up for auction where they are expected to go for £30,000.
But despite being able to carry enough explosive to level a skyscraper, the missiles have been deactivated and are not live, say organisers at the Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst, West Sussex.
The auction comes as Vladimir Putin today announced he will expel British diplomats from Moscow after Prime Minister Theresa May announced she was kicking 23 spies out of Britain over the Skripal poisoning row – as relations between the two countries hit the lowest point since the Cold War.
The 2K11 Krug 1968 air defence missile was first unveiled during a military parade in Moscow in May 1965. It is expected to sell for £15,000-25,000 at Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst
One of the massive missiles up for auction, a ‘Ganef’ SA-4, carries a 300lb warhead, and is almost nine metres long and three metres wide – the same size as a bus.
And the 2K11 Krug 1968 air defence missile was first unveiled during a military parade in Moscow in May 1965.
It reached speeds of up to Mach 4 and had an effective range of 31 to 34 miles – terrifying US intelligence services.
It is expected to sell for £15,000-25,000 at Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst on Wednesday.
Huge weapon: The ‘Ganef’ SA-4 is pictured safe inside its protective case so it can travel to the auction site
One of the massive missiles up for auction, a ‘Ganef’ SA-4, carries a 300lb warhead, and is almost nine metres long and three metres wide – the same size as a bus
The other missile, a CIAM/NASA wind tunnel test platform rocket from around 1980, will also go under the hammer at the ‘Conversation Pieces’ auction.
The huge missile is over three metres long and has been mounted vertically on a granite base.
Made in Russia’s Central Institute of Aviation Motors, the largest aerospace engine testing facility in Europe, it weighs approximately 110lbs.
It has been part of the Air and Space Collection of the scramjet rocket engineer Professor Alexander Roudakov and is estimated to sell for £5,000-8,000.
Auction house director Rupert van der Werff said: ‘The missile is an icon of the Cold War and we are pleased to be offering it as a piece of industrial art.
‘In the past buyers of similar items, have used the rockets as statement pieces in their entrance hall or garden.
‘We had interest from private collectors as well as company directors.’