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This is a cutaway of an experimental attempt by the U.S. Army's Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ, to produce a simple, gas pressurant-fed liquid propellant (possibly storable) rocket motor for a small caliber air-to-air missile. A gas generator drives a piston, forcing propellants into the combustion chamber. The chamber painted red in its interior appears to have stored the oxidizer while the chamber painted green was probably stored the fuel. The pale green small chamber was the combustion chamber, which also includes a built-in nozzle at its rear. The small chamber at the front of the motor contained the gas pressurant composition, apparently simulated by the area painted in black. The missile has four fold-out fins at the rear.

The U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal transferred this rocket motor cutaway to the Museum in 1968.

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 United States of America Type PROPULSION-Rocket Engines Manufacturer Picatinny Arsenal
Dimensions 2-D - In Frame (H x W x D): 30.5 x 10.8cm, 22.7kg (12 x 4 1/4 in., 50lb.)
2-D - Unframed (H x W): 14.6cm (5 3/4 in.)
Materials Aluminum
Steel
Wood
Paint
Fibre Laminate
Plastic
Synthetic Rubber
Body, overall aluminum; rear (nozzle or fin) end of rocket case, steel; fin assembly, aluminum; rear insert at this end, steel; igniter end, with wires protruding from it, steel, with light surface rust; electrical wires, with blue plastic insulation; stand, wood
Inventory Number A19700274000 Credit Line Transferred from Picatinny Arsenal Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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