Country of Origin: United States of America
Dimensions:
Overall: 18 ft. 3 in. tall x 7 1/2 in. diameter x 1 ft. 11 1/4 in. wing span, 246 lb. (556.26 x 19.05 x 59.06cm, 111.6kg)
Other (each ramjet pod): 4 ft. 2 in. long x 6 1/2 in. diameter (127 x 16.51cm)
Materials:
Overall, aluminum; steel ramjet pod shrouds; steel flush screws
This is the F-23 research rocket used during 1950-1954 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics at its research facility at Wallops Island, Virginia, to test ramjet engines under actual flight conditions.
Each of the ramjet pods produced a thrust of 1,000 pounds (450 kg), using acetylene and rammed-in air. Supersonic speeds were obtained at altitudes up to 159,000 feet (48,460 m). The F-23 also made important contributions in testing various ramjet fuels. This object was donated in 1979 to the Smithsonian by NASA.
Transferred from the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)
