3-D (Diameter x Length): 7 × 71.1cm, 4.5kg, 0.394m (2 3/4 in. × 2 ft. 4 in., 10lb., 1 ft. 3 1/2 in.)
Type:
ARMAMENT-Missiles
Country of Origin:
United States of America
Physical Description:
Tube, hollow, painted glossy black, with ogival nose, warhead painted green-blue, fuze hole at point of warhead; set of four long rectangular folding fins in cruciform arrangement at rear, fins fold rearward and when folded have same width as rocket tube, fins aluminum color; rear section also includes four equidistant nozzles, appearing as short, protruding tubes but ends of nozzles in this specimen cut at an angle; word "Inert" stenciled in white on body and crudely painted number 46 in blue; the word "inert" also stampe around base; this specimen without markings on warhead as on other specimens of this missile.
Body and fins, aluminum; warhead and base, with nozzles (4), steel
Summary:
This is a 2.75-inch caliber Mighty Mouse air-to-air rocket. Powered by a solid fuel motor, the unguided Mighty Mouse fired singly but usually in salvos at enemy aircraft from U.S. Navy and Air Force jet fighters. Helicopters also carried the Mighty Mouse. The retracted fins immediately unfolded when the rocket left its firing tube or pod. Although small and plain looking, a single Mighty Mouse could easily destroy large aircraft, such as bombers.
The Might Mouse made its debut during the Korean War and found widespread use during the Vietnam War. A typical Mighty Mouse carried a 3.5 pound warhead and could attain speeds nearing Mach 3.
