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These are the fins-forward (smaller fins) and aft-of the Douglas Aircraft-built Sparrow II missile, a follow on to the Sparrow I. Dating from the mid-1950s and designed for use on Navy aircraft, the Sparrow II was a highly maneuverable air-to-air missile equipped with a more advanced guidance system than its predecessor. The Sparrow family of missiles originated in 1946 and became one of the largest and most important missile programs for the United States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and other U.S. allies. A branch of the Sparrow family exists today as the AIM series of missiles.

The U.S. Navy transferred the Sparrow II to the Smithsonian in 1958.

 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 1958 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts Manufacturer Douglas Aircraft Company
 Physical Description Four forward fins and four aft fins; with fin adapter; and miscellanous parts in box and bags which further includes: outer umbilical; pipe assemblies; bolts, grommet seal, two screw wrenches, bonding strap, tape, 3 O-rings, and 16 screws; forward fins, triangular, flat blaze orange; aft fins, clipped delta, three of them flat blaze orange and one white with stenciled word "Reference Wing," in white on black stripe across fin; fin adapter, cylindrical and hollow, with slight tapering to end, front having larger diameter than end; also painted flat blaze orange; umbilical partly painted flat blaze orange and partly bare gray metal. Dimensions Other (Forward): 1ft 1/2in. x 1ft 4 1/4in. (31.75 x 41.28cm)
Other (Aft): 1ft 4in. x 1ft 7 1/2in. (40.64 x 49.53cm)
Other (Adapter): 8in. (20.32cm)
 Materials Fins, aluminum; fin adapter, or tail cone, magnesium
 Inventory Number A19590099002 Credit Line Transferred from U.S. Navy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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