Manzano Laser Works V1 Buzz Bomb Construction Manual

V1 Buzz Bomb Construction Manual
Introduction
In the late stages of World War II, the Germans invented a new and terrible weapon, the
V1 flying bomb. Though not nearly as accurate as today's cruise missiles, it could hit a target
such as a city from several hundred kilometers away.
They were a 4,000 lb, 350 to 400 MPH pilot-less drone, catapulted from a ramp set in the
direction of the city that they were aimed at, stabilized by gyroscopes during flight. It was
powered by a simple pulse jet that shot flame out the back, and made a very loud low frequency
buzzing sound. This led to the bombs being called "buzz-bombs" by the intended victims. A
simple wind-milling propeller mechanism on the front measured the distance of flight, and kicked
in down elevator when the pre-set number of propeller turns had been reached. The engine then
cut out, and the bomb glided down to impact, in relative silence. The people on the ground
quickly learned to take cover when the engines cut.
Though only accurate enough to hit a general area, several thousand people were killed,
and a very large amount of property damage was caused in the target cities
Large numbers of AA guns were set aside for shooting them down, and squadrons of
Spitfire Mk XIV's, and Tempest Mk V's, were assigned to patrol for them. As soon as they
became coordinated well, the fighters were the most effective method of stopping the bombs.
Although other airplanes, such as the P47 and P51 accounted for some V1's, the great low-
altitude speed, and 20 mm cannon of these two British aircraft made them the most effective
against the fast, steel-skinned, low-flying bombs. The Tempests were the most successful, with
over 600 destroyed, with one pilot single-handedly destroying more than 60. This was hazardous
work, as the bombs could blow-up if the warhead was pierced by a shell. This could, and too
often did, take out the attacking fighter along with the V1. You had to get in fairly close, as 50 cal
machine gun bullets would bounce off of the V1, and the 20 mm cannon did not have a great
range as the machine guns. Pilots learned that flying with the wing-tip close to the V1's wing tip
would upset the stability of the V1 and cause it to crash.
As the proximity fuse, and predictive radars (that used analogue computers to calculate
where the target would be when the shell reached it) became available to the AA guns, they
became far more effective against the V1's
This model is a sport-scale version of this famous cruise missile. It is intended
as an accessory for a 1/7-1/12 WWII allied fighter, for flying intercept missions, and re-
enacting this period of history. To make it easier to launch, fly and land, it includes
ailerons, and a slightly over-sized wing. It has a flight envelope that includes steep
turns, rolls and loops, but not spins, snaps and other advanced aerobatics. Because of
its shape, it is forgiving of imperfect landings. The jet-tube is attached strongly, and
could be used for rocket launching the V1, if desired.
This kit requires intermediate building and flying skills.
(Revised by Manzano Laser Works, 8/29/2020.)
V1 Buzz Bomb
1/9 Sport Scale
, and the fighters were reassigned to other tasks.
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