V-1
63. Illustration from World War II intelligence report.
GERMAN PILOTLESS AIRCRAFT Warhead: approx. 1000 kg. Fuel filler cap Lifting lug Fuel tank. (Capacity 130 galls. petrol) Wirebound spherical compressed air bottles Grill incorporation shutters & petrol injection jets Impulse duct engine Light alloy nose fairing probably containing compass Launching rail Steel tubular main spar passing through fuel tank Pressed steel wing ribs Sheet steel wing covering Automatic pilot: 3 airdriven gyros: height & range setting controls Pneumatic servo mechanism operating rudder & elevators
The German-developed V-1 was an automatically controlled pilotless aircraft for use against Allied cities during World War II.
The missile was launched from ground ramps. Once in the air, automatic controls on board the craft took over. The V-1 climbed to a predetermined altitude, followed a compass course, and dove to the ground after a preset distance had been covered.
This mid-wing monoplane was powered by a unique pulsejet engine above the rear portion of the fuselage.
The relatively low speed of the missile made it easy prey for antiaircraft guns or fighters.
The V-1 on exhibit is from the U.S. Air Force, Park Ridge Depot.