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This is a Bazooka 2.36-inch anti-tank rocket, one of the most famous U.S. weapons of World War II. It was popularly known as the Bazooka after a musical instrument of a comedian of the time, Bob Burns. The secret of the Bazooka's success was its shaped charged warhead that could penetrate the steel armor of tanks.

The Bazooka was fired by a standing infantry soldier or in a kneeling position and could also be fired in a prone position. The Bazooka entered combat in 1943 and gave good results against German tanks in Tunisia, North Africa, then became widely used with improved models that saw service during the Korean War. This object was donated to the Smithsonian in 1989 from the U.S. Army Ordnance Museum.

 Display Status

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

Rockets & Missiles
Object Details
Date ca. 1945 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Dimensions Other: 1 ft. 9 1/2 in. long x 2 3/8 in. diameter, 3.4 lb. (54.6 x 5.99cm, 1.5kg)
 Materials Steel
 Inventory Number A19890577000 Credit Line Transferred from U.S. Army Ordnance Museum Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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