High monoplane wing configuration with ramjet mounted on a fin below the rear of the missile; swept wings with and horizontal twin tail fins; bare metal body, yellow nose and red tail; red wing tip pods on the Gorgon IV are most likely like winglets and served to modify the vortex flow over the wings, thereby decreasing drag and enhancing the range. They were probably painted red, as found on this missile during its restoration for display at the Hazy Center, as a visual aid for tracking the missile. Contains almost none of its original electronic and/or mechanical components; bundles of wires found in several places with the bundles cut (i.e. the missile was stripped of most of its electronics prior to its donation to the Smithsonian). In addition, there are several small aluminum walled compartment sections, especially in the nose area where electronics would have been found, that were deliberately cut as if to get at and completely remove some of the original smaller components. The antenna tube was also removed (i.e. missile received at the NASM without its antenna). The components that remain include the following: a small 28 Volt electric motor at front, within the nose area, and probably served as the power for a servo, a small linear actuator at the rear and normally covered from visibility by the rear tail cone, an adjacent small black painted metallic container with an inlet or outlet, and some electric brackets, etc. On the right side, near the nose, are two fabric straps, with buckles, that may have held a small electronic package; similar straps are on the opposite side of the missile (see, also Curatorial Remarks). There is also a small, rectangular opening or compartment with rounded sides on top of missile with bundle of electrical wires within the compartment. The wires have white plastic insulation and the number 16A-20 in black print on the bundle. Immediately adjacent are two larger bundles of wires with brown plastic insulation and with the printed black numbers, 85-0. Flush screws and rivets throughout body surface. There was also tape, tan and very faded, along several places of the fuselage, found during the restoration. This tape also around opening of ramjet, in back of missile, under wing in front and underneath nose of ramjet. The tape was apparently meant for for packing purposes and was removed as part of the restoration process. Another unique feature also found during the restoration are the lead weights placed on both sides of the front of the missile and normally unseen when the nose cap is attached. Each weight is irregular-shaped and resembles a folded, circular ribbon. There are four weights in one compartment on the right side, plus two in other compartment on this side, and four weights on the left side. These weights were apparently used to provide counterweights during a test, or intended test flight of the vehicle as a drone, with the absence of some of the other components in the nose. The appearance of these weights point to this particular missile as being either actually used or meant for one of the drone flights. (See Notes and Curatorial Remarks for more substantial proof that this missile probably flew.) The following are among the additional components found in the Gorgon IV missile during its restoration in preparation during June-July 2004 for its display at the Udvar-Hazy Center: (1) Dynamotor: Black cylinder, steel, mounted between two brown plastic mounts, with clamp-type, secured by silver colored steel bolts, four, two for each clamp; two rusted steel screws on side of cylinder; black and white rectangular manufacturer's label along side of cylinder and adjacent white stenciled date (February 1948) and other data around label (see Marks); two rusted smaller screws on end; three electric wires projecting from bottom of cylinder, with partial black insulation; rest of insulation very worn plastic, one previously white, one previously red Created by Mark Avino Date Created 02/17/2022 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Military; Missiles; Space Rights and Restrictions Not determined
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