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A section of the new V-2 rocket arrives at the Flying Heritage Collection

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s latest extravagance — a German-built World War II-era V2 rocket — has arrived at his Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field in Everett.

v2-IMG_7744The rocket, one of only 16 remaining in the world, stands 46-feet tall (just shy of the museum’s 50-foot high ceiling).

The V-2 arrived in three primary sections on Monday, and has now been re-assembled as the latest showpiece in the museum.

The Associated Press notes that workers had to dig a trench in the concrete near the entrance to the hangar in order to maneuver the rocket into place.

It is now on display, and will be part of the museum’s permanent exhibit.

The rocket was trucked across country from Florida where refurbishments were made to the device following Allen’s purchase in 2003, reports the AP.

Germany developed the V-2, and used the aerial weapon in the latter part of World War II against targets in London and Antwerp. According to a BBC report cited by Wikipedia, the V-2 was responsible for the deaths of 9,000 civilians and military personnel.

It is considered the first long-range rocket used in combat, developed in part by German inventor Wernher von Braun.

Here are a few more photos of the V-2 arriving at the Flying Heritage Collection, courtesy of the museum.

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