Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Search Results

Collections Search Center
72 documents - page 1 of 4

Model, Flying Free Flight Rubber, Monocoupe 90

Manufacturer:
Megow  Search this
Model Maker:
Robert C. Mikesh  Search this
Materials:
Balsa
Tissue
Dimensions:
Model: 19.7 × 38.1 × 57.1cm (7 3/4 in. × 1 ft. 3 in. × 1 ft. 10 1/2 in.)
Type:
MODELS-Aircraft
Country of Origin:
United States of America
Credit Line:
Model made and donated by Robert C. Mikesh
Inventory Number:
A19781579000
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source:
National Air and Space Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9fd5cd5f8-a88b-46fc-a179-d6221204ec19
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nasm_A19781579000

Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection

Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Names:
Japan. Navy  Search this
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Tanaka, Kiyoshi  Search this
Extent:
1.51 Cubic feet (3 legal document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Reports
Photographs
Publications
Manuscripts
Clippings
Date:
1860-1988
bulk 1945-1983
Scope and Contents:
This collection was gathered by National Air and Space Museum curator Robert C. Mikesh for his publication on this subject, "Japan's World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America." The collection consists of the following: magazine and newspaper articles on the Japanese balloons; manuscripts and independent articles; 83 photos Mr. Mikesh used in his book and 68 miscellaneous photos collected for research purposes; also photocopies of Japanese balloon illustrations and Japanese balloon propaganda reports. The collection also includes the working files of Kiyoshi Tanaka, the Supervisor Technical Lieutenant Commander for the Japanese Navy balloon project, and multiple copies of Mr. Mikesh's publication.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as originally numbered and titled by Robert C. Mikesh. Additional folder title information has been added by the processing archivist in brackets.
Biographical / Historical:
During World War II the Japanese constructed nearly 10,000 lighter-than-air balloons for the purpose of carrying destructive pay loads to the U.S. Between November 1944 and April 1945 these balloons made use of the prevailing west-to-east jet stream over the North Pacific Ocean. Nearly 285 sightings and fragment findings have been recorded in North America, and 5 deaths resulted. This was the first and only attack upon the American continent directly from an enemy homeland.
Provenance:
NASM Generated, Transfer, unknown, NASM.XXXX.0558.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Topic:
World War, 1939-1945  Search this
Balloons  Search this
Air defenses -- United States  Search this
Air defenses  Search this
Aeronautics, Military  Search this
Aeronautics  Search this
Genre/Form:
Reports
Photographs
Publications
Manuscripts
Clippings
Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Identifier:
NASM.XXXX.0558
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2aaf47a7b-bf2f-482a-88ab-d657128833cb
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558
Online Media:

1. Finders Aid - Balloon Bomb

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1988
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2fec112ab-75d0-493f-a101-ccf8647de0f9
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref505

2. Magazine Articles

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945-1988
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2c3da95b6-0502-49f0-aec4-14d03e3acd29
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref506

3. Balloon Bomb Book - Master Copy. [Mikesh, Robert C. Japan's World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America. Master Copy]

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1973
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2bcfab4f4-7e29-4d63-9148-8d46e822026b
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref507

4. News Clippings

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1905-1977
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2c15835dc-7944-4360-b02c-614d3a4953c6
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref508

5. Japanese Language Accounts

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 5
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1946-1985
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg28bf2ef66-6aad-4bf7-a5f8-50777309284c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref509

6. Exhibit of Balloon Bomb Device [National Air and Space Museum's Balloon Bomb Control Device Exhibit in Japan]

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 6
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1974-1975
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2ce14e641-bbc1-4d07-b5be-9f70b19417ec
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref510

7. Manuscripts

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 7
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1964-1978
Scope and Contents:
Mikesh, Robert C. with Chris Cross. 1965. The World's First Intercontinental Missiles.

Mikesh, Major Robert C., USAF (Ret.) undated. Japan's Paper Balloon Bomb.

Higham, Robin. 1978. Draft Article and Correspondence.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg28832634c-c764-48c6-9f4b-2ea169bdc94c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref511

8. Miscellaneous Reference Sources

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 8
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1903-1987
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg23fc7733d-e861-4428-a815-3e47e2125c0c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref512

9. Fragments of Balloon Material [and Reports]

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 9
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945-1972
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg27ec722f5-224c-4043-987b-b813d6f87b49
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref513

10. Photographs - Album and Miscellaneous [Folder 1 of 2]

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 1, Folder 10
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1860-1974
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg27c03127d-ffe8-4901-b05e-2c8856b78f2b
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref514

10. Photographs - Album and Miscellaneous [Folder 2 of 2]

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 2, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1860-1974
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2b3411474-5e85-4272-b32a-c715b12e7ead
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref515

11. Working Files of K. Tanaka [Kiyoshi Tanaka]

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 2, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1940-1975
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2a703570a-9328-4009-91f3-3aee84836ee0
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref516

12-1. Japanese Free Balloons, Control Devices

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 2, Folder 3
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945
Scope and Contents:
Guggenheim Aeronautics Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. April 4, 1945. Japanese Free Balloons, Control Units. Analysis of Operations and Construction. [two copies]
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2a3afd97b-0af8-4449-9d00-74e4441546b5
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref517

12-2. Study of Japanese Free Balloons

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 2, Folder 4
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1944-1945
Scope and Contents:
Western Defense Command. November 4, 1944 - February 10, 1945 . Intelligence Study No. 1, A Study of Japanese Free Balloons and Related Incidents." [three copies]
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2526ffdad-d0d5-4746-b0e1-79c301625221
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref518

12-3. Japanese Balloon and Detachment Devices

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 2, Folder 5
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945
Scope and Contents:
Technical Air Intelligence Center (TAIC). May 1945. Report #41, Japanese Balloons and Attached Devices. [Wright Field Technical Document Library Number D52.8/125]

Air Technical Intelligence Group. November 23, 1945. Report No. 138, Japanese Balloon Bombs (Interview of Major General Kusaba and LTC Miizuma). [Wright Field Technical Document Library Number D72.31/721]
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg21fae565a-ec38-4775-adee-3da960f1cb15
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref519

12-4. Japanese Balloons

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 2, Folder 6
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945-1946
Scope and Contents:
Weidner, George E. Office of the Chief Engineer, GHQ, Army Forces Pacific. January 2, 1946. Engineer Technical and Technical Survey, Japanese Bombing Balloons.

Fourth Air Force Historical Study No. III-2. 1945. Chapter X: Japanese Balloon.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg2c8dfe42d-aabc-4ae6-b25d-9d0ae489d7e1
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref520

12-5. The Great Japanese Bomb Balloon Offensive

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 3, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1968
Scope and Contents:
Conley, Cornelius W. 1968. The Great Japanese Bomb Balloon Offensive." [two copies]
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg25550cbd8-9876-40c3-8346-317f1cea2257
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref521

12-6. Balloon Bomb

Collection Creator:
Mikesh, Robert C.  Search this
Container:
Box 3, Folder 2
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1945-1951
Scope and Contents:
Kusaba, Sueki, and Kiyoshi Tanaka. Translated by Kiyoshi Tanaka. 1951. Amendment of Mr. T. Takada's Article on 'Balloon Bomb' in the Shizen (the Nature), Vol. 6, No. 1-3.

Notes in Japanese by Sueki Kusaba.

Takada, Teiji. Translated by Ken Suda. 1951. Balloon Bomb.

Takada Article in Japanese.

9th Military Laboratory. November 10, 1945. A Report on the Research of the Bombing Balloon.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection, Acc. XXXX.0558, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
See more items in:
Japanese World War II Balloon Bombs Collection
Archival Repository:
National Air and Space Museum Archives
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/pg20526b91e-a86c-4e73-96df-0a930902e76d
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nasm-xxxx-0558-ref522

Modify Your Search







or


Narrow By