V-1 flying bomb

V-1 Flying Bomb

The V-1 flying bomb (German: Vergeltungswaffe 1) was an early cruise missile and the first of the so-called V-weapons series deployed for terror bombing of London during World War II. It was developed by Nazi Germany and used primarily by the Luftwaffe.

Development

The V-1 was designed by the Fieseler company and was powered by a simple pulsejet engine. The development of the V-1 began in 1939, and it was first tested in 1942. The project was led by Robert Lusser and Fritz Gosslau.

Design

The V-1 was a small, pilotless aircraft with a wingspan of 5.3 meters and a length of 8.3 meters. It was powered by an Argus As 014 pulsejet engine, which gave it a top speed of 640 km/h (400 mph). The bomb carried a 850 kg (1,870 lb) warhead and had a range of approximately 250 km (160 miles).

Launch and Operation

The V-1 was launched from a simple ramp using a steam catapult. It was guided by a simple autopilot system that used a gyroscope and a magnetic compass. The V-1 was launched from sites in France and the Netherlands towards targets in England.

Impact

The first V-1 attack on London occurred on June 13, 1944. The attacks continued until October 1944, when the launch sites were overrun by Allied forces. In total, over 9,500 V-1s were launched against England, with around 2,419 reaching London.

Countermeasures

The British developed several countermeasures to combat the V-1 threat. These included anti-aircraft guns, barrage balloons, and fighter aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Tempest. The Royal Air Force also developed a tactic known as "tipping," where pilots would use their aircraft to tip the wings of the V-1, causing it to crash.

Legacy

The V-1 was the first operational cruise missile and paved the way for future developments in missile technology. It was succeeded by the more advanced V-2 rocket.

Related Pages

• V-2 rocket
• Luftwaffe
• World War II
• Nazi Germany

Gallery

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  Cutaway view of a V-1
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  V-1 launcher at IWM Duxford
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  V-1 on display in a museum
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  V-1 on launch ramp
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  V-1 engine piston
• V-1 in flight
  V-1 in flight
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  V-1 bomb damage in London
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  V-1 under a Heinkel 111
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  Fi 103R at La Coupole
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  Arado Ar 234 with V-1
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  British Army with V-1
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  Royal Observer Corps
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  Spitfire tipping a V-1
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  V-1 bomb damage in London
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  Max Wachtel with V-1
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  V-1 "Doodlebug"
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  USS Cusk with V-1
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  V-1 at Greencastle
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  V-1 at Antwerp
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  V-1 launch ramp at IWM Duxford
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  V-1 at Imperial War Museum
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  V-1 at Air Zoo

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  V-1 flying bomb
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  V-1 flying bomb
• V-1 flying bomb
  V-1 flying bomb
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