This is the first image blog from Alexsander Savochkin in what we hope will become an expanding resource for those wishing to find out more about the design and construction of the A4/V2 missile. The precise 3D CAD model imagery is based exclusively on original drawings produced in Germany from 1940 to 1945. When enough material has been uploaded we will create a fixed menu item called ‘Anatomy of the V2‘ where we hope to be able to offer coverage of the entire missile in detailed 3D models like the ones shown here – Robert J. Dalby, editor in chief, V2 Rocket History.com
Click the above video to see an animation of the diffuser cup inner core (the animation may take a few seconds to show at maximum resolution).
The image gallery below has all the above pictures in higher resolution, some with additional text, as well as additional pictures not included in this post.
25-Ton aluminium injector pot from 1940/41
25-Ton aluminium injector pot from 1940/41
Relic of prototype A4 25-ton 1940/41 aluminium injector head basket (or pre-chamber) showing 68 copper alloy inserts in 5 rows. The standard configuration would later become 44 inserts in 3 rows 25 2mm diameter drilled holes in two rows situated at row 3 and 4 (counting from nearest the camera). Photo courtesy Host Beck Collection
Parts of the 'Standard' series A aluminium head from 1941. The brass injector insert type and position pattern on the relics seem to be of the standard type but the pattern is non-standard in that higher volume injectors with three inlet apertures (two centrifugal and one central) have been place nearest the LOX injector. Photo courtesy Horst Beck
Part of the 'Standard' series A aluminium head from 1941/42
Part of the 'Standard' series A aluminium head from 1941/42
Part of the 'Standard' series A aluminium head from 1941 to early 1942. Showing the position of standard type LOX injector. The brass fuel injector inserts type and position pattern on the relic seem to be of the standard type with the row of 3 inlet aperture type inserts positioned furthest from the LOX injector. Photo courtesy Horst Beck Collection
Aluminium Injector basket with 68 inserts from 1940/41
Aluminium Injector basket with 68 inserts from 1940/41
Relic of A4 25-ton 1940/41 aluminium injector head basket (or pre-chamber) showing 68 copper alloy inserts in 5 rows. The standard configuration would later become 44 inserts in 3 rows 25 2mm diameter drilled holes in two rows situated at row 3 and 4 (counting from nearest the camera). Photo courtesy Host Beck Collection
Flown V2 thrust chamber relic from February 1945. Badly damaged from impact, this head shows 4 intact LOX input pipe connections as well as exposed fuel injector inserts positioned in the inner wall of the injector pots. The inner and outer walls of the head are also conveniently exposed on this exhibit. Photo www.v2rockethistory.com
Injector pot cutaway: fuel & LOX injectors with LOX cap.
Injector pot cutaway: fuel & LOX injectors with LOX cap.
V2 Rocket History Museum Relic: This cutaway presentation shows one of the V2's 18 combined fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) injector 'pots'. The LOX injector transit cap is also shown. The pot shown here is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a pre-burner or pre chamber - a mixer or diffuser pot probably describes its role more accurately.
Injector pot cutaway: fuel & LOX injectors with fitted LOX cap.
Injector pot cutaway: fuel & LOX injectors with fitted LOX cap.
This relic from the V2 Rocket History collection shows a cutaway presentation of one of the V2's 18 combined fuel and liquid oxygen (LOX) injector 'pots'. The LOX injector transit cap is also shown fitted over the LOX injector.
Cutaway of one the V2's pre-chambers with fuel and LOX injectors.
Cutaway of one the V2's pre-chambers with fuel and LOX injectors.
One of the V2's 18 injector pots showing fuel and LOX injector copper alloy inserts. The spray head A is for liquid oxygen (LOX) and the numerous small injectors lining the chamber are for the fuel. The term pre-chamber is a throw-back to a time when combustion systems developed at the Kummersdorf test facility had a closed structure rather than the open bucket design seen here. Image Horst Beck Collection
V2 engine part from a missile fired from Walcheren, Serooskerke, Vrederust, by battery no 444, at around 7am on September 17th 1944. The missile impacted East Ham with a direct hit on houses. Killing 6 people with 15 seriously injured. Much of the rocket debris was taken to the East Ham police station for examination by the military authorities. Information porovided by www.v2rocket.com.
Examination of V2 missile thrust chamber. Sections of two of the large bore aluminium alcohol inlet manifold feed pipes and two thin steel veil colling supply pipes are still attached. The distinctive heat expansion relief loop can be seen on one of the pipes.
Image shows interior of production series (combat relic) V2 missile propellent injector pre-mixer pots. Three post in the picture are intact, others seem in the picture have been destroyed in the impact. This engine part was recovered from a combat impact East of London. Impact date: February 1945
V2 thrust chamber with damaged (missing) inlet manifold
V2 thrust chamber with damaged (missing) inlet manifold
Recovered from Great Warley impact: February 1945. This chamber has a production use order number of 33 painted crudely on topmost segment. This number, to indicate rank in batch, was added shortly after manufacture to ensure the chamber was selected by the missile assembly crews in the correct order; that is on a newest-last basis to make sure that the oldest chambers were employed in missile construction operations first.
A tutor in computer-aided design at Moscow State Technical University, Alexander Savochkin says he finds relaxation in transcribing 75-year-old missile plans into modern 3D CAD models. He lives with his very patient wife in the leafy suburbs of Moscow.