Rheintochter I/III (Surface-to-air missile)

The Rheintochter (Rhine Maiden) R I was an experimental German two-stage anti-aircraft missile tested in the last year of World War II. It was also one of the largest solid-fuel rockets of the war and produced the largest thrust, although for a very short duration. Due to its inadequate altitude ceiling, it was to be supplanted by the R III model, a liquid-fuel missile with two side-mounted solid-fuel boosters, but only six of those were ever launched. This Rheintochter R I was acquired by the National Air and Space Museum in 1969. It is painted black, but its original markings are uncertain and no formal paint scheme was ever issued by the Luftwaffe, as none of the anti-aircraft missiles ever became operational.

I III Length(m) 10.3 4.75 Body Diameter(m) 51 51 Wingspan(m) 2.75 Unknown Launch Weight(kg) 1,750 976 Warhead(kg) 100 415 Guidance Wireless Guidance Wireless Guidance Propulsion 2-stage solid 2-stage solid (liquid sustainer,too) Range(km) 12 35 No. of Deployment 82 test fire Contractor Rheinmetall-Borsig Deployment Year 1942(I), 1945(III)

Rheintochter I

Rheintochter III

External links:

• Wikipedia: Missile description