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 rare model of the U.S. Navy's Gorgon 3C missile, also called KU3N-2, which was powered by two Reaction Motors, Inc. liquid-fuel rocket engines each producing 350 pounds of thrust. It dates to 1945-1946 and was perhaps the U.S.'s first missile with two motors that operated simultaneously. About May 1946, the missile was redesignated the KU3N-2.

Only a dozen Gorgon 3Cs were built. Of these, six were used by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) for high speed research. Their velocity approached Mach 1. The remaining six were expended in stability and performance flight tests for the Navy. The missile shown here was very likely one of the NACA vehicles and perhaps the only one extant. It was transfered to the Smithsonian in 1965.

 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. 1945-1946 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Naval Aircraft Modification Unit
 Dimensions Overall: 17ft 10in. x 10ft 10in. (543.56 x 330.2cm)
 Materials Body of wood construction with some metal screws and fittings.Body of wood construction with some metal screws and fittings.
 Inventory Number A19660163000 Credit Line Transferred from United States Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.