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Rockets and Flying Bombs

This area of WWII aviation collecting is about as rare as it gets.

Their are very few survivors of the V1 and V2

This page will include a selection of models, and replicas as well as I hope some artefacts from the real weapons.

Vergeltungswaffen-1 (Vengeance Weapon 1), also popularly called Flying Bomb, Buzz Bomb or Doodlebug, was a German jet-propelled missile of World War II, the forerunner of modern cruise missiles. More than 8,000 V-1s were launched against London from June 13, 1944, to March 29, 1945, with about 2,400 hitting the target area. A smaller number were fired against Belgium. The rockets were launched from the Pas-de-Calais area on the northern coast of France and subsequently from other sites in German-occupied western Europe. The V-1 was about 8 metres (25 feet) long, exclusive of the long tailpipe of its jet engine and had a wingspan of about 5.5 metres (20 feet). It was launched from catapult ramps or sometimes from aircraft. It carried an 850-kilogram (1,870-pound) explosive warhead at about 580 km (360 miles) per hour and had an average range of 240 km (150 miles).

A V1 Flying Bomb

The response was to extend the attacks on the launching sites, whilst fighters formed the first defence over the Channel and the South Coast. 192 heavy AA guns and equal number of light weapons provided the next line of defence. On the eastern outskirts of London 480 balloons provided the final element. Initial patrols were made by 11 squadrons, two Mosquito-equipped for night operations.

These arrangements were inadequate and the guns were increased to 376 heavy and 540 light weapons and the balloons were strengthened to around 1000. Fighter units included the new 150 Wing at Newchurch with three squadrons of Tempests, Spitfires of 41, 91 and 322 Squadrons and Mustangs of 129, 306 and 315 Squadrons. A special flight of Tempest was formed at Wittering with pilots of the Fighter Interception Unit. This moved to Newchurch to join the other Tempest squadrons. Over the weeks which followed further units became involved including Polish Mustang, radar-equipped Mosquito and Typhoon squadrons

By 15 July 2578 V1s had reached England. 1241 were destroyed by the defences, 1280 falling in the London area. Between 9-15 July the percentage destroyed reached 50%, mainly by the fighters. The damage caused were still to high so the guns were moved to the coastal area. On 19 July 412 heavy and 600 light weapons were in place together with 168 Bofors and some rocket batteries. Now the fighters patrolled over the Channel and over central Kent, between the guns and the balloons. The guns were now receiving stocks of proximity-fused shells, which increased their results. Between 16 August and 5 September only 17% of the 1124 launched V1s reached their target area. An estimated 6,184 people were killed by these flying bombs.

The V1 was Powered by the Argus AS 104 Pulse Jet Engine

The V2 Rocket

The V-2 Rocket, was developed by Werner von Braun, Walter Dornberger and Hermann Oberth at the rocket research station at Peenemunde.

The V-2 was first used in September, 1944. Like the V1 it carried a one ton warhead. However, this 14 metres (47 feet) long, liquid-fuelled rocket was capable of supersonic speed and could fly at an altitude of over 50 miles. As a result it could not be effectively stopped once launched.

Over 5,000 V-2s were fired on Britain. However, only 1,100 reached Britain. These rockets killed 2,724 people and badly injured 6,000. After the D Day landings, Allied troops were on mainland Europe and they were able to capture the launch sites and by March, 1945, the attacks came to an end.

All the following remains of V1 and V2 rockets are original and by their nature as flying bombs are extremely rare. Every piece of remaining rockets and flying bombs were pounced on by the Allies and shipped back to their respective countries along with the scientists who designed and built them many of whose war crimes were ignored . The only pieces now in the public domain are fragments from the bombs that crashed and exploded, most pieces were vaporised on impact and surviving parts are very unusual.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

V2 Air Bottle (pg1 Rocket)

This is a an air bottle from a V2 rocket it has an overall length of approximately 62cm. It has evidence of shrapnel damage. It was purchased from Ciney in Belgium.

Once air born they were impervious to attack so any that were destroyed was as a result of ground fire or attacks by aircraft whilst still on their launch pads. The only Pilot I have ever heard of to actually fire at one whilst in the air was the wing man of Raymond Baxter most well known for presenting the Tomorrows World program in the 60s and 70s.

On 18 March 1945, Baxter took part in a daylight raid on the Shell-Mex building in The Hague, which was then the German headquarters for V-1 and V-2 rocket attacks on southern England. The commander of the raid, Max Sutherland, received a bar to his DFC and Baxter, along with the three other pilots, was again mentioned in dispatches.

In an interview about his wartime career, Baxter described flying over a V-2 site during a launch on 14 February 1945, and his wingman firing on the missile: "I dread to think what would have happened if he'd hit the thing!"

Shown in situ in the drawing under marked as number 5

The air bottles in the V1 were used to operate the guidance system and i suspect the same was true of the V2 using compressed air to operate actuators and the internal control vanes.

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Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

VI Rudder servo (pg1 Rocket)

This is a servo from a VI flying bomb this particular piece was a servo which controlled the rudder or elevator. The picture on the left shows a piece in better condition. Clearly this has been in the ground for a number of years but you can clearly see what it is, it was sourced from Holland.

�295

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VI Rudder servo 2 (pg1 Rocket)

This is a servo from a VI flying bomb this particular piece was a servo which controlled the rudder or elevator. This second example although damaged is in better condition than the one shown above.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

�325

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V2 A5 Rocket rudder (pg1 Rocket)

Graphite rudder from the A5 V2 rocket. As engines were not able to gimble at this time this was mounted in the combustion chamber to deflect the plume and hence subject to intense heat. In excellent condition.

Under a V2 rocket

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Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

V1 tail unit (pg1 Rocket)

This is a fantastic piece, a complete tail from a V1 flying bomb 100% original it is obviously damaged but still a very rare large substantial and recognisable piece of the V1.

Amazingly this tail unit was sometimes packed with German propaganda leaflets here is a link to a site covering the propaganda carried in the V1 tail.

Under a V1 rocket

Out of stock more V1 parts always wanted contact me

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V1 Giro auto pilot mounting tray (Pg1 rocket)

This is the heart of the V1 it holds the giro auto pilot that keeps the V1 flying RAF fighters tried to de stabilise this giro by flipping the wing tips of the V1 sending them crashing into the ground before reaching their target. In good original condition kit has some damage but is not heavily corroded and should be repairable if required.

An example seen under with the giro

Click on the picture to enlarge

�399

V1 Engine part 2 (pg1 Rocket)

This is a piece of the side of the engine and is 280mm long.

V1 Engine part 2 (pg1 Rocket)

�125

V1 Engine part 2 (pg1 Rocket)

Here is a large, (230mm ) piece of a V1 rocket motor, this piece forms the side of the motor as seen in the diagram left.

Front view of the V1 rocket motor

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This a big piece its part of the lower structure of the V2 a ring which forms the shell and framework of the V2 its very heavy and is 850mm long.

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V2 ring structure (pg 1Rockets)

This is a sender unit from the fuel system of a V2 rocket.

V2 sender unit 1 (pg1 Rocket)

�125

N/A

V1 Fuel pressure pick up point (pg1 Rocket)

This piece sits in the front of the V1 motor and acts as a starter in the fuel system. Seen in situ under.

Click on the pictures to enlarge them

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V1 Mechanical Impact Fuse (Pg1 Rocket)

Here is a very rare Mechanical Impact Fuse from a V1 purchased during our trip to Arnhem.

It was used as a safety fuse if the actual detonator failed.

See the Diagrams Below

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A rare site an unexploded doodle bug VI flying bomb

Shell case fragments from VI strike at Wickford Essex (pg1 Rocket)

38 cm long

These are fragments of a V1 that came down in Wickford in Essex, on this link , link 2 is a childhood memory of the VI hitting the Town.

Shell case fragments from VI strike at Wickford Essex 4 (pg1 Rocket)

This is solid steel and heavy

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V1 Compressed Air tank (pg1 Rocket)

Here is a superbly rare and substantial original piece from a V1. The V1 contained two compressed air bottles of which this is one. They powered the gyroscope's that kept the V1 flying.

The tank was originally covered in layers of spring steel but this had corroded and was a real hazard so we removed the remains of the wire then removed any corrosion and painted the tank with etch primer to preserve it.

The steel is still thick and healthy and is not at all delicate.

Finding the correct original colour of the tank is not an easy process as nearly all original pictures are in black and white. The colour pictures I have seen showed the tanks as red, orange grey and silver. We went with a silver finish but this can easily be re painted .

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

You can see the tanks in situ just behind the wing trailing edge.

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V1 Rocket Relics from our Trip to Arnhem

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V1 Height Controller (pg1 Rocket)

This is a height Controller From the Control Panel of the V1

It was used in the Elevator Actuator System

Seen in Situ Under

Out of stock

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V1 Wiring (pg1 Rocket)

Electrical Wiring from a V1

Out of stock

V1 Pressure Distributor 2(pg1 Rocket)

This is In Relic Condition

Out of stock

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V1 Height Setting (pg1 Rocket)

This is part of the Autopilot. It was used for setting the Altitude that the rocket would travel at.

Seen in Situ on the left

Out of stock

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V1 Tray Piece (pg1 Rocket)
This is a piece from the autopilot tray from a V1

Out of stock

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V1 Engine Pipe (pg1 Rocket)
This Pipe Would have been connected to the Argus Pulse Jet Engine that powered the V1

�125

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V1 Fuel Filter (pg1 Rocket)

Here is a fuel filter as used in the V1 see below in situ this piece is in relic condition see picture.

Out of stock

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V1 Wooden Nose Cone Cover Fragment (pg1 Rocket)

This is a fragment of the wooden nose cone used to cover the compass of the V1.

It still has yellow paint on it and is extremely rare as the wooden parts almost never survive impact.

The complete original nose cone is shown left.

Out of stock

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V1 Aileron Spring (pg1 Rocket)

This is a spring used in the control of the aileron of the V1 seen to the left in situ

Out of stock

Click on the picture to enlarge.

V1 Rocket motor intake (pg1 Rocket)

This is a substantial piece from the V1 it is an almost complete intake with the shutters, clearly in relic condition but a nice restoration project or display item for the rocket collector.

�299

Click on the pictures to enlarge them.

V1 Giro auto pilot mounting tray 2 (Pg1 rocket)

This is the heart of the V1 it holds the giro auto pilot that keeps the V1 flying RAF fighters tried to de stabilise this giro by flipping the wing tips of the V1 sending them crashing into the ground before reaching their target. Clearly this has considerable damage but could possibly be straightened with some work.