The eclectic Seattle billionaire Paul Allen has procured a rare Wernher von Braun-designed V-2 rocket, the first human-made object to fly into outer space.

Allen’s Flying Heritage Collection — located at Paine Field in Everett, Wash. — is taking possession of the rocket on Monday. The Mittelwerk GmbH V-2 rocket, one of only 16 in the world, will be assembled at the aircraft museum and then displayed as part of the permanent exhibit. The rocket — assembled from an an underground production facility near Nordhausen, Germany — is one of only six in the U.S. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Germany developed the V-2, and used the aerial weapon in the latter part of World War II against targets in London and Antwerp.

(Source: demons)