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The Bv 246 Hagelkorn (Hailstone) was a German air-to-surface glide bomb, using guidance systems developed for other missile projects. It was to be released by a carrier aircraft (among the possibilities were the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the Heinkel He 111, or the Junkers Ju 188), at a safe range, whereupon it would glide to its target. Stability was attained by gyroscopic autopilot, while in some versions guidance was to be by a radio beam transmitted from the parent aircraft or by a RF homing device in the nose. The high aspect ratio of the wings provided a very large 1:25 gliding angle, which permitted a missile release as far as 210 km (130 miles) from the target, with a release altitude of 35,000 ft.

These wings were the ones originally mounted on the Smithsonian's Hagelkorn, which was a gift of the U.S. Naval Supply Center, Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Virginia.

 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 ARMAMENT-Bombs Manufacturer Blohm & Voss
 Physical Description 2 tapered high-aspect ratio wings, welded steel core covered by cement and doped fabric covering, dark gray/green camouflage paint, white markings Dimensions 3-D: 314.3 × 24.1 × 1.3cm (10 ft. 3 3/4 in. × 9 1/2 in. × 1/2 in.)
 Materials Ferrous Alloy
Non-Magnetic Metals
Cement
Paint
Adhesive Tape
 Inventory Number A19710759001 Credit Line Transferred from the U.S. Navy, Naval Supply Center, Cheatham Annex, Williamsburg, Va. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.