Rheintochter R1 missile
Rheintochter was a German surface-to-air missile developed during World War II. Its name comes from the mythical Rheintöchter (Rhinemaidens) of Richard Wagner's opera series Der Ring des Nibelungen.
History[]
Rheintochter was ordered in November 1942 by the German army (Wehrmacht). Starting in August 1943, 82 test firings were made. An air-launched version was also designed.
The project was cancelled on February 6, 1945.
An example is on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Another example is on display at the Deutsches Technikmuseum in Berlin.
Variants[]
A Rheintochter R1 (left), and part of an R3 (centre), with a Rheinbote (right).
The initial R1 variant was powered by a two-stage solid-fuel rocket.
Because this variant lacked the ability to reach high altitudes, the R3 model was developed, which had a liquid fuel engine with solid-fuel boosters.
Characteristics[]
- Primary Function: surface-to-air missile
- Contractor: Rheinmetall-Borsig
- Power Plant: RI variant was 2-stage solid fuel; RIII was liquid fuel with solid-fuel boosters
- Length:
- Diameter: cm
- Wing Span: 265 cm
- Launch Weight: 1748 kg
- Speed: 485 m/s
- Warhead: 136 kg explosive
- Range: km
- Altitude: R1 8 km
- Fuzes:
- Guidance system:
- Unit Cost:
- Date Deployed:
- Users: Germany
External links[]
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See also[]
The original article can be found at Rheintochter and the edit history here.