The Speed trading card series was issued in 1949 by the British Automatic Company Ltd. of London. The 24-card collection showcases contemporary speed records across various categories. Each card measures approximately 2.5 x 3.5 inches (64 x 89 mm). The cards were dispensed from coin-operated weight scales throughout England. Many card backs are stamped with a date of use and weight measured in stones and pounds.

An illustration of the "V-2 Rocket Bomb" is included in the series. The card image is based on Project Hermes V-2 No. 2, the first American V-2 fired from White Sands Proving Ground on April 16, 1946. The yellow and black V-2 paint schemes were only used by the U.S. Ordinance Corps during early tests for Project Hermes.

The German Vergeltungswaffe 2 (V-2) guided ballistic missile, originally designated as Aggregat 4 (A-4), was developed under the direction of Wehrner von Braun at the Peenemünde Army Research Center. A-4 MW 18014 is the first object launched into sub-orbital space. On June 20, 1944, A-4 MW 18014 was fired from Peenemünde to an apogee of 109 miles (176 km). Germany launched the first V-2 attacks to reach Paris and London on September 8, 1944.

From 1945–1951, General Electric constructed 67 rockets from captured German V-2 components. The first American space launch was conducted at White Sands on May 10, 1946. Hermes V-2 No. 3 was fired to an apogee of 70 miles (112.7 km). The first animals in space were fruit flies placed inside the nose cone of Hermes V-2 No. 20. The Blossom 1 biological experiment was launched from White Sands on February 20, 1947.

White, L. D. Final Report, Project Hermes V-2 Missile Program. Report No. R52A0510. General Electric Company, Defense Products Group, Aeronautic and Ordnance Systems Divisions, Guided Missiles Department. September 1952.