Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is a practice round of a 4.5-inch caliber U.S. air-to-surface rocket used during World War II. The rocket, developed from 1940, could also be used as a ground-to-ground weapon. When used from aircraft, like the P-40, it had five folding fins and was launched from tube launchers under each aircraft wing. The rocket's first operational use came in late 1943 or early 1944 against Japanese ground installations in Burma - the first combat use of American aircraft rockets. The range of the 4.5-in. rocket was about 1-2 miles. The payload weighed 4.3-5 pounds depending on the type of high explosive in the warhead. This rocket was donated by the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum to the Smithsonian in 1989.

Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.

Object Details
Date ca. 1944-1945 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Dimensions Other: 33 1/2 in. long x 4 1/2 in. diameter (85.1 x 11.4cm)
Materials Overall, steel; fins, copper or brass
Inventory Number A19890602000 Credit Line Transferred from U.S. Army Ordnance Museum Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.