Rheintochter
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2011) |
| Rheintochter | |
|---|---|
 A Rheintochter R1 missile on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1942-1943 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in) |
| Warhead weight | 136 kg (300 lb) |
| Propellant | multi-stage solid fuel |
Rheintochter was a German surface-to-air missile developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig[1] during World War II. Its name comes from the mythical Rheintöchter (Rhinemaidens) of Richard Wagner's opera series Der Ring des Nibelungen.
The missile was a multi-stage solid fuelled rocket.[1] It had four small control surfaces, resembling paddles, in the nose, six fins at the after end of the top stage, and four at the end of the main stage.[1] It stood 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in) tall, with a diameter of 54 cm (1 ft 9 in).[1] The sustainer motor, located ahead of the 136 kg (300 lb) warhead (rather than behind, as is more usual) exhausted through six venturis between the first stage fins.[1]
History[edit]
Rheintochter was ordered in November 1942 by the German army (Heer). Starting in August 1943, 82 test firings were made. An air-launched version was also designed. The operational version was intended to be fired from a ramp or converted gun mount.[1]
The project was cancelled on 6 February 1945.
Examples are on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Air Defense Learning Annex at Fort Sill, OK and at the RAF Museum Cosford, UK.
Variants[edit]
The initial R1 variant was powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket.
The proposed R2 did not offer any improvement over the R1, and was dropped in December 1944.[1]
The R3 model was developed, which had a liquid fuel engine with solid-fuel boosters ("strap-ons"). Only six trial missiles were fired.[2]
Specifications[edit]
- Power plant: RI variant was 2-stage solid fuel; RIII was liquid fuel with solid-fuel boosters
- Length: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)[3]
- Diameter: 54 cm (1 ft 9 in)[4]
- Wing span: 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
- Launch weight: 1,748 kg (3,854 lb)
- Speed: 1,080 km/h (671 mph)[4]
- Warhead: 136 kg (300 lb)
- Altitude: R1 8 km
- Guidance system: Radio Command
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
Sources[edit]
- Christopher, John. The Race for Hitler's X-Planes. The Mill, Gloucestershire: History Press, 2013.
- Ford, Brian J., Secret Weapons, Osprey Publishing, 2011, ISBN 978 1 84908 390 4
External links[edit]
