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 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 the Gargoyle, a radio-controlled, rocket-propelled, air-to-surface U.S. Navy missile. It was designed during World War II for use against ships and was launched from carrier-based planes. The Gargoyle used a 1,000-pound warhead. The range was from five to seven miles with a speed of about 600 miles per hour. The powerplant was a standard Aerojet solid-fuel JATO (Jet-Assisted-Take-Off) unit delivering 1,000 pounds of thrust for eight seconds.

Tests were carried in 1945, and it was too late to be used in the war. But testing was continued, especially of its autopilot and other components until its cancellation in 1947. This object was transferred to the Smithsonian in 1974 by the National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Rockets & Missiles at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
 Dimensions Overall: 10 ft. 2 in. long x 1 ft. 8 in. diameter x 8 ft. 6 in. wing span (309.88 x 50.8 x 259.08cm)
 Materials Overall, aluminum; screws, steel; rear fins, wood; camera mount (taken from Cat. # 1974-0642), steel.
 Alternate Name Gargoyle Missile Inventory Number A19740642000 Credit Line Transferred from National Armed Forces Museum Advisory Board Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.