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.

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The V-1 on exhibit is from the U.S. Air Force, Park Ridge Depot.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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