This is a 2.75-inch caliber Mighty Mouse air-to-air rocket. Powered by a solid fuel motor, the unguided Mighty Mouse fired singly but usually in salvos at enemy aircraft from U.S. Navy and Air Force jet fighters. Helicopters also carried the Mighty Mouse. The retracted fins immediately unfolded when the rocket left its firing tube or pod. Although small and plain looking, a single Mighty Mouse could easily destroy large aircraft, such as bombers.
The Might Mouse made its debut during the Korean War and found widespread use during the Vietnam War. A typical Mighty Mouse carried a 3.5 pound warhead and could attain speeds nearing Mach 3.
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
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets
Manufacturer
A.E.I.
Physical Description
Nose, steel; body, stainless stell; fins, aluminum; nozzles (4), steel; one strand of electrical wire, with white plastic insulation, leading from middle of nozzle cluster to end of fin assembly.
Tube, hollow, painted glossy black, with ogival nose, warhead painted blue, fuze hole at point of warhead; set of four long rectangular folding fins in cruciform arrangement at rear, fins fold rearward and when folded have same width as rocket tube, fins aluminum color; rear section also includes four equidistant nozzles, appearing as short, protruding tubes but ends of nozzles in this specimen cut at an angle; word "Inert" stenciled in white on body and crudely painted number 46 in blue; one strand of electrical wire, with white plastic insulation, leading from middle of nozzle cluster to end of fin assembly; this specimen with markings on warhead, in white, but barely legible; see Mark(s).
Dimensions
Storage (Rehoused on aluminum pallet with 14 additional objects): 128.3 × 129.5 × 118.1cm, 164.2kg (50 1/2 × 51 × 46 1/2 in., 362lb.)
Materials
Paint
Ferrous Alloy
Aluminum Alloy
Plastic
Inventory Number
A19771055000
Credit Line
transferred from the U.S. Air Force
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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