Missile, Air-to-Air, Falcon GAR-1

Object Details

Physical Description: Cylindrical with four long criuciform delta fins running down half of its length; taper rounded nose, and four much smaller cruciform vanes under nose. Cruciform control surfaces on trailing edges of fins. Semimonocoque construction. Painted orange with black nose.
Summary: This is the Falcon, or GAR-1 (Guided Aircraft Rocket), the first of a large family of U.S. air-to-air solid-fuel guided missiles and the first guided air-to-air missile to enter operational service. GAR-1 was radar-guided. The missile had a range of up to five miles and speed of about Mach 2.8. Designed to destroy enemy bombers, it was carried on the F-89-H, F-102A, and F-106A interceptor aircraft.; Development of the Falcon began in 1947 and it became operational with the U.S. Air Force in 1956. In 1962 GAR-1 was re-designated AIM-4 (Air Interceptor Missile). Several more AIM models later appeared. NASM acquired the missile in 1958 from its developer, the Hughes Aircraft Co.

1954- ca.1962

Materials: Magnesium skin with body and fins of glass fiber-reinforced phenolic plastic
Dimensions: 3-D (Overall): 196.8 × 43.2 × 45.7cm (6 ft. 5 1/2 in. × 1 ft. 5 in. × 1 ft. 6 in.)

National Air and Space Museum

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv99242033c-bc97-4a7b-935c-9d2b9eba23c8