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 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 model of an Aerial Torpedo Dr. Henry W. Walden made in 1915 for a patent application. The missile was to be air-launched against ground targets and controlled by radio signals from the mother aircraft. The pilot would visually observe the Torpedo and activate the controls through radio signals. The signals activated servos that moved steering vanes on the Torpedo. Although Walden's patent was granted, it never became official; he never paid the fee, having received no support from the US government.

The Walden Torpedo concept was one of several World War I precursors to modern air-to-air and air-to-ground guided missiles, a few of which, like the "Kettering Bug" that actually went into development, but none of which were deployed. The inventor gave this model to the Smithsonian in 1957.

 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 1915 Country of Origin United States of America Type MODELS-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Henry Walden
 Dimensions Overall: 5in. x 11 3/4in. x 11 3/4in. x 1 1/2in. (12.7 x 29.8 x 29.85 x 3.81cm)
 Materials Acrylic, metal, paint, plastic
 Inventory Number A19580052000 Credit Line Gift of Dr. Henry W. Walden Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.