Object Details
Manufacturer
Singer Manufacturing Company
Physical Description
Cigar-shaped, canard type airframe tapering at both ends, with two rear high-wings, small control surfaces near middle of nose, and twin vertical tail fins. Plexiglas covered vertical slot in nose for TV target-seeking camera. Airframe of wood. Overall, painted yellow with black numerical designation on side of top vertical stabilizer.
Contains partial guidance system and complete propulsion components. Propulsion includies rocket engine and propellant tank. Guidance system includes a standard aircraft auto pilot but no TV or radar. Also includes a workable clockwork time delay switch apparently for releasing missile from aircraft.
Standard, double-throated vacuum venturi mounted on side of fuselage. Approximately 10 7/8 inches long by 5 5/32 by 3 ΒΌ inches. This venturi used to create a vacuum for the operation of flight instruments. Manufacturer's label on this venturi unreadable as it is painted over in yellow to confirm to rest of missile, but may be the identical model, AN5807-1 (former Army type B-4), depicted and described in Index of Army Aeronautical Equipment, Vol. 6 - Instruments, compiled and published by authority of Commanding General, Army Air Forces Materiel Command, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, Air Publication 2599F, pp. 163-165.
Separate carbon dioxide cylinder mounted in tail, purpose unknown, steel, with fire extinguisher valve, Airplane Seat Type, Walter Kidde & Company, Belleville, New Jersey, Model 36-1; length, 17.5 inches; diameter, 5 inches. See also Marks.
Summary
This is the Gorgon II-A, claimed as the U.S.'s first liquid-fuel, rocket-powered guided missile. It was developed as an air-to-air weapon by the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer) in World War II. With a range of 18 miles, the Gorgon II-A utilized a television guidance system to locate the target and was controlled by radio signals. Only 21 Gorgon II-A's were built and flight tested during 1945-1946. This is one of the few surviving examples.
The Gorgon was also one of America's first attempts to use television in guided missiles for target tracking although the TV transmissions were weak. The missile's rocket motor produced 350 pounds of thrust. The program was cancelled in 1946. This missile was donated to the Smithsonian in 1951 by the U.S. Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics.
Credit Line
Transferred from U.S. Navy
Date
ca. 1943-1946
Inventory Number
A19510065000
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
ARMAMENT-Missiles
Materials
Overall, made of laminated wood; fins, also wood, but moveable control surfaces aluminum; gyro, steel; carbon dioxide cylinder, steel; motor, mostly stainless steel; nuts on same, steel; blue pipe fittings on motor, anodized aluminum; nose, wood, but dome, plastic painted over in yellow to match body; tail cone, aluminum; straps, for holding missile when formerly suspended, steel and fabric; propellant tank, overall, stainless steel; blue fittings on propellant tank, aluminum; reddish valve on propellant tank, brass; internals also contain electrical wires with clear plastic insulation; copper strip running throughout most of internal wall lengths inside fuselage.
Dimensions
Overall: 1 ft. 2 1/2 in. long x 11 in. span, 480 lb. (36.83 x 27.94cm, 217.7kg)
Country of Origin
United States of America
See more items in
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Location
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA
Exhibit Station
Rockets & Missiles
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nasm_A19510065000