V-4 Missile Possibilities

On 6 Jan 2004 10:08:29 -0800, (robert arndt) wrote:

steve gallacci wrote in message ...
B2431 wrote:

From: (robert arndt)


After reviewing the information provided on Unicraft's V-4 page, I
took a look at the dimensions of the missile and the ramjet engine,
which is definately not an Argus or Lorin type.
The Pabst ramjet, however, matches exactly in dimension and
configuration. It had been successfully tested as evidenced by this
1944 photo:

http://www.germanvtol.com/tribflugfolder/5treib.jpg


That photograph only proves a piece of apparatus that may or may not be a ram
jet test stand was built at some time and was photographed using poor quality
equipment. It doesn't seem to be a running engine of any kind. If memory serves
a ram jet needs at least 200 knots intake velocity. The "ram jet" in that
picture doesn't seem to be moving at all let alone at that velocity.

Dan, U. S. Air Force, retired

The thingy is in a windtunnel.

First of all, it's not a "thingy". It is positively a Pabst ramjet as
evidenced by its connection to one of the Fw Triebflugel's wings seen
in the photo. And it is being windtunnel tested.

I didn't think the "V-4" ramjet looked
all that much like a Pabst ramjet though.

Really? OK, here's a comparison of all the late-war ramjets available
to the Germans:

Lorin: http://tanks45.tripod.com/Jets45/His...o17/Do-217.jpg
Argus 044: http://tanks45.tripod.com/Jets45/Lis...3/As-044_1.jpg
Pabst ramjet sketch:
http://www.germanvtol.com/tribflugfolder/3trieb.jpg
Pabst ramjet for Fw Ta 283: http;//www.luft46.com/fw/fwta283.html

Still think it might have been
a Rheinbote like missile with a ramjet sustainer, which could have been
done with a minimum of effort.

On the Unicraft page the first depiction shows the V-4 missile with a
RATO unit slung underneath for catapult launch. Rhinebote was powered
by a rocket engine and launched off a SSM erector. The V-4 was
launched like the V-1:

V-1 catapult piston unit:
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org...es/lrg1260.jpg
V-1 launched off ramp, dropping piston unit:
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org...es/lrg1271.jpg

Compared to:

Rheinbote on erector:
http://www.worldwar.nl/secretweapons/rheinb_02.jpg

They are nothing alike. Rheinbote was a short range artillery missile
with a mere 40 kg warhead. The V-4, OTOH, was a long range flying bomb
designed to hit targets in Sweden from Misdroy (incidentally, where a
V-3 gun also was used to hit Luxembourg).

The two other depictions of the V-4 on the Unicraft page suggest
postwar research done by the Russians at N-II-88. The V-4 on top of
the V-2 looks remarkably similar to the Russian EKR concept, but in
that case the V-4 was replaced with a Sanger-looking missile.

Rob

Reality check time Rob, the Nazis lost, Hitler is dead, and the "V-4"
never flew. I know that all of these facts just break your little Nazi loving
heart, but they are facts.

Al Minyard