Missile, Surface-to-Air, Rheintochter R I, Fins

Object Details

Summary: The Rheintochter (Rhine Maiden) R I was an experimental German two-stage anti-aircraft missile tested in the last year of World War II. It was also one of the largest solid-fuel rockets of the war and produced the largest thrust, although for a very short duration. Due to its inadequate altitude ceiling, it was to be supplanted by the R III model, a liquid-fuel missile with two side-mounted solid-fuel boosters, but only six of those were ever launched.; There are fourteen wooden fins included under this number: four nose fins, six medium body fins, four large tail fins. They are part of an incomplete Rheintochter, as the missile lacks a guidance section. The Smithsonian acquired it as part of the massive gift of World War II artifacts from the U.S. Air Force in 1949.

Materials: Plywood; Steel
Dimensions: Missile dimensions (assembled): Length: 20.7 ft (6.309 m) total with booster; Diameter maximum: 21.25 inches (54 cm); Fin span maximum: 7.25 ft (2.21 m); Loaded weight: 3,850 lb (1,746 kg); Empty weight.: 1,650 lb (748 kg); Payload: 332 lb (151 kg)

National Air and Space Museum

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv972e04e1e-8a9c-495a-8687-248b6f6a67f9