D.Hölsken, V-missiles of the Third Reich.

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Dear all,

Who has the book of Dieter Hölsken, V-missiles of the Third Reich. The V-1 and V-2 (1994) and is willing to help me with some answers:

- what is written about the first, unpowered flight test(s) of the Fi-103 up and including the first launch from the Rheinmetall-Borsig launching ramp on Christmas Eve 1942 ?

The reason for asking is that some German test films survived WW-2 (suggesting that ALL test launches were filmed) but I try to compose a chronological list of each Fi-103 used in the tests. Such an original list exists for the V-2 rocket - then named A4 - but so far I haven't found a similar overview of Fi-103 tests...

Any help is much appreciated, Marcel

[PhilippeDM]

Marcel,

After a quick look through the "V-missiles" book, I found at page 57 next:

"Actual flight tests of the Fi 103 were started in October 28th, 1942, when an airframe without a pulsejet was released from a Focke Wulf 200 pilotrf by Dipl. Ing. Willy Fiedler. The aero-mechanical behaviour of the missile proved to be excellent. The first powered flight of the 27-foot long flying bomb was recorded on December 10th, 1942, with the Fi 103 V7 being air-launched by a Fw 200..." (footnote reveals "Statements Mayer of 20.11.86)
On p 58: "The first ground-launch of the flying bomb took place after dark on December 24, 1942. For reasons unknown, the Fi 103 V12 had been fitted with a dorsal fin at the height of the wing spar" (footnote refers to GD (Grosslau Documents) Wartime film documentary)

The flights were preceded by Argus powered airplanes to prove the pulse reactor concept, and a launch of wingless Fi 103 body with Argus motor, to judge its behaviour in acceleration. This last event is published, together with the confirmation of the first ground launched flight in the book "V1 - Arme du désespoir - Delefosse, Yannick Lela Presse 2011" p33. In the "After the Battle" magazine nr. 6 the same date is reflected as is the lenght of 2.5 km of this first succesful flight. In Monogram Publications Close-Up Nr. 4 "Buzz Bomb" the same date is also accepted.

Let me know if you need more info.

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Philippe,

Many thanks for these interesting pieces of information ! Very kind of you !
Interesting to read that Gosslau has left documents too. I can start a new search haha! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get a better inventory of the Fiedler papers in the USA but the present description convinces me, that this source hasn't been used much (if any) in V-1 research, so there is still a lot of work to do.

I did not know the other sources yet (thanks!) but I can recommend also Botho Stüwe labourous and magnificently detailed 'Peenemünde-West. Die Erprobungsstelle der Luftwaffe für geheime Fernlenkwaffen und deren Entwicklungsgeschichte'.

About the first test launches, my present knowledge is this:
October 21st, 1942 Fiedler flies to Kassel-Waldau
October 28th, Fiedler drops unpowered Fi-103 (V-1)
December 10th, Fw200 dropped first powered Fi-103 (V-7)
December 24th, first succesful launch (V-12) from Borsig-Schleuder
January 1st, 1943, launch of V-13
January 13th, launch of V-6
March 11th, launch of V-17
March 19th, launch of V-25
April 5th, launch of V-26
April 11th, launch of V-20
June 21st, so far 50 Fi-103's have been used in tests

Best regards, appreciated your input ! Marcel

[PhilippeDM]

Marcel,

I know your the work you referenced, but unfortunately it is still not in my library...(

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Philippe,

I recognize your 'problem', I have the same trouble with Hölskens book

Marcel