Model, Rocket Torpedo, Hassan er-Rammah or Hasan al-Rammah, ca. 1280 A.D.

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Object Details

Manufacturer

George Marsden Design

Summary

This is a model of the "self-moving and combustible egg" of the Syrian Al-Hassan er-Rammah and is believed to be the earliest known rocket propelled torpedo. Crude sketches and a description of it appear in Hassan's Arabic manuscript, The Book of Fighting on Horseback and with War Engines, completed in A.D. 1280.

It is not known if he ever built the device. The two pans connected together were filled with an incendiary mixture and the whole was propelled by two rockets. As the rockets were ignited, the device was aimed toward an enemy ship. When it struck, the enemy ship was to catch fire and be destroyed. The model was built especially for the National Air and Space Museum and donated to the Museum in 1976 by the George Marsden Design Company.

Credit Line

Gift of George Marsden Design

Inventory Number

A19762056000

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

MODELS-Missiles & Rockets

Materials

Copper Alloy

Aluminum

Plastic

Steel

Paint

Ink

Paper

Natural Fabric

Felt

Dimensions

Overall: 21 x 45.1 x 13.7cm (8 1/4 x 17 3/4 x 5 3/8 in.)

Storage: 52.1 x 35.6 x 17.8cm (20 1/2 x 14 x 7 in.)

Country of Origin

United States of America

See more items in

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Metadata Usage

Not determined

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9d27920ee-fd2f-40b3-8d89-925271936a7b

Record ID

nasm_A19762056000