McDonnell LBD-1 Gargoyle

The Gargoyle is a guided bomb developed for the U.S. Navy to be launched from carrier based aircraft.  The weapon used a JATO rocket to accelerate the bomb to over 600 miles per hour.  It was radio guided by the crew of the plane that launched it and had a range of over five miles.  Development began in 1944 and the first bombs were tested between 1945 and 1947 when the project was cancelled.

Service History

The service history of this bomb is not known but it was likely built for the testing program and not used.  It was later transferred to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum.  It was donated to the Pima Air & Space Museum in 2012.

Manufacturer
McDonnell

Markings
U.S. Navy, 1946

Designation
LBD-1

Serial Number
UNKNOWN