Consists of two components: the booster assembly and the ramjet. The booster is a cluster of four standard 5-inch caliber HVARs (High Velocity Aircraft Rockets). These are real HVARs, as evidenced by the detachable nozzles. (One of the nozzles can be easily unthreaded and reveals an original igniter wire inside. The remaining nozzles are very difficult to unscrew and are presently stuck.) Each of the HVAR's also contains steel bodies and aluminum fins as found on actual HVARs. The HVAR that can easily be opened reveals the body to be hollow. In this booster assembly, there are six fixed rectangular fins with rounded edges, each fin 8 inches long. Each rocket is fitted with a rounded nose and all four of the rockets are attached to a steel framework at the bottom and at the top, with two lugs welded on to the top, one on each side, one lug partly corroded. The purpose for these lugs is presently unknown. It is important to point out that there is a 7 inch space between the boosters on the top frame, which do not permit the attachment of the ramjet section to the booster. There therefore seems to be an additional component, a ramjet and/or booster adapter lacking. The booster is painted checkerboard-fashion, with alternate red and white (now off-color white or creme color) rectangles to simulate the flight markings, to make the vehicle and its booster easily visible for tracking purposes during its flight. Body overall, many scratches, peeled paint, and faded colors. Nozzle piece, as mentioned above, brass colored but made of steel, with about 3 feet of tan colored plastic insulation. Overall nozzle assemblies and frames at bottom and at top of booster, painted red. Ramjet section, cylindrical, with slight tapering toward front, providing a smaller diameter at front than at base, and with protruding, sharply pointed ramjet cone, black, 3.5 inches long; rear or base, wooden protective disc; dented on one side of intake, toward ramjet cone; rest of ramjet body, also painted with alternating checkerboard rectangles of red and white (now off-color or crème color); ramjet also with many scratches and faded colors; top or front section, with tapered air intake, secured to body with wood screws. It is important to point out that there is a 7 inch space between the boosters on the top frame, which do not permit the attachment of the ramjet section to the booster. There therefore seems to be an additional component, a ramjet and/or booster adapter lacking. Boosters, steel bodies, aluminum fins; steel framework to top and bottom; individual nozzles, steel, but brass colored, with length of tan colored plastic insulated electrical igniter wire. Ramjet, major portion of cylinder, wood, with wooden protective disc inserted at base; steel air intake cowling, about 10 inches long from top, and steel projecting air intake cone. Created by Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Date Created 10/29/2021 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Military; Missiles; Space Rights and Restrictions Not determined
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