FZG 76 - V-1 (flying bomb)

1944 · Erprobungsstelle der Luftwaffe Karlshagen

In the autumn of 1936, the Argus engine company, began work on the further development of remote controlled aircraft for anti aircraft target practice the FZG 46 (Flak-Ziel-Gerät 46 = anti-aircraft targeting device 46). On 9 November 1939, Argus engine company came up with a proposal for a remote controlled aircraft carrying a payload of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) over a distance of 500 km (310 mi) was forwarded to the RLM (German Air Ministry). In April 1940, presented an improved study of Project "Fernfeuer" to the RLM, as Project P 35 "Erfurt". In 1942 the Fiesler aircraft company took up the production under the name "Fi 103" the RLM gave the Fi 103 production a high priority and development was undertaken at the Luftwaffe test centre at Karlshagen. The V-1 was designed under the codename Kirschkern (cherry stone) The FZG 76 (Fi 103) was an completely new weapon design an early pulse-jet-powered example of what would later be called a cruise missile. In total, 2,448 V-1s being launched and the V-1 attacks caused 22,892 casualties (almost entirely civilians). This German training film labeled as "TOP SECRET" from the E.d.L (Erprobungsstelle der Luftwaffe = Test Center of the Air Force) Karlshagen describes in detail the technique and handling of this completely new weapon system.