POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Rocket replica 'Flying Crow with God's Fire'

Object No. 88/609

This replica military device highlights China’s connection with the ancient origin of rocketry. The 'Flying Crow with God's Fire' was a type of bomb invented in China around the 1300s. Resembling a crow, the weapon used firework-type rockets to give it a long range. The body of the crow was filled with gunpowder and sealed. The bird-shaped features stabilised the bomb’s flight and its aerodynamic design allowed it to fly great distances. Upon impact the gunpowder ignited, producing a flash that would be seen many kilometres away, and setting fire to enemy encampments or to ships at sea. The use of stabilising devices was introduced after 1300 and are first recorded in 1412 [1]. Rockets were beneficial to the military in ancient China. They increased the weapon's range and enabled each soldier to do more harm than several soldiers in hand-to-hand combat using conventional arms. Melissa Hulbert, Curatorial Assistant, and Andrew Jacob, Curator, 2020 Reference 1. Temple R, The Genius of China, 1991