The V-2 rocket, developed and used by the Germans during World War II, was the world's first large-scale liquid-propellant rocket vehicle, the first modern long-range ballistic missile, and the ancestor of today's large-scale liquid-fuel rockets and launch vehicles. Called the A-4 (Aggregat 4) by German Army Ordnance, the rocket was dubbed V-2, or Vergeltungswaffe Zwei ("Vengeance Weapon Two"), by Dr. Josef Goebbels' Propaganda Ministry.
The U.S. Air Force officially transferred a V-2 (A19600342000) to the Smithsonian on 1 May 1949. It was moved to the National Air Museum's storage facility in Suitland, Maryland in 1954, and was restored in 1975-76 for exhibition in the new National Air and Space Museum building. These miscellaneous parts are left over from the restoration, and include an extra jet vane and servomotor, and the skin panel omitted from the tail to show the chain drive mechanism of the control vanes.
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
Germany
Type
CRAFT-Missile & Rocket Parts
Dimensions
Overall (Tail Skin Panel): 4in. x 2ft 2in. x 3ft 5in. (10.16 x 66.04 x 104.14cm)
Other (Jet Vane): 5in. x 1ft 2in. x 1ft 7in. (12.7 x 35.56 x 48.26cm)
Other (Pressure Bottle): 1ft 3 1/2in. (39.37cm)
Storage (Rehoused on an aluminum pallet): 124.5 × 124.5 × 87.6cm, 127kg (49 × 49 × 34 1/2 in., 280lb.)
Materials
Steel
Aluminum Alloy
Paint
Unknown Natural Hair
Possible Zinc Chromate Paint
Possible Rubber
Phenolic Resin
Natural Fiber Thread
Inventory Number
A19600342005
Credit Line
Transferred from the U.S. Air Force
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.