September 15, 2004

In 1961, the U.S. Army donated a decommissioned Nike Ajax anti-aircraft missile to the University of Toledo. After 43 years standing guard outside the Glass Bowl, UT Alumnus Pat Ryan noticed it was clearly in need of some work. He decided it was time for the icon to get a facelift. After making some calls Ryan found Paul grabke, a fellow veteran, at Steve Grabke's Body Shop who agreed to not only restore and paint the missile but also provide time and effort free of charge. So far, a body man/painter at the shop has been working on it full time for a month. In total, over $1,500 in materials have been donated for what Grabke estimated would have been a $6,000 to $7,000 project. The painting should be finished Thursday, Sept. 15 and the missile is slated to be returned to its perch on Monday, in plenty of time for the UT home opener against Temple.

Photos by DANIEL MILLER
Paul Grabke, from Steve Grabke's Body Shop, uncovers the freshly painted bottom half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004. The inert missile, which has been mounted on a pedestal outside the Glass Bowl on the University of Toledo campus, is being refurbished in preparation for the Rockets' first home football game against Temple University, Saturday, Sept. 25. Most of the materials and labor are being donated by local businesses.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, applies masking on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, lays on his back applying masking to the fins on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, sprays a coat of midnight blue paint on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile.

Robert Deitz, a painter with Steve Grabke's Body Shop, sprays a coat of midnight blue paint on the top half of a Nike-Ajax missile, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004.

The walls lights from the paint booth at Steve Grabke's Body Shop reflect off the wet nose cone of a Nike Ajax missile as Robert Deitz applies a coat of midnight blue paint.

Posted by Daniel at September 15, 2004 06:22 PM | TrackBack