Rocket Interceptors 1941–1947

Justo Miranda

• Publisher: Fonthill Media
• Year: 2026
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: 20th Century History
• eBook ISBN:
  9781036152628
• Index: History

"… a fairly complete history and description of each and every project. In all it is a fascinating look at a subject that is still of considerable interest to historians and modelers alike." – ModelingMadness.Com

During its short life, the rocket interceptor, a concept that reached maturity towards the end of the Second World War, attracted the attention of top scientists, designers and aeronautical engineers in Germany, the USSR, the United States and Japan. It was universally agreed that an interceptor capable of flying 300 mph faster than any other aircraft would give the wielding power untouchable aerial superiority. However, this new technology was unable to adapt to the realities of war.

The complexity of the propulsion system and the need to develop new aerodynamic concepts were challenges too great for the aeronautical industries of the major powers at the time, which specialized in the mass construction of piston fighters. Nor were fighter pilots able to adapt to the high-G combat conditions that came with achieving speeds of nearly 900 mph; it was simply not possible for them to aim and fire.

In 280 immaculate technical drawings, each set within its historical context and with full performance specifications, Rocket Interceptors 1941–1947 presents 125 project, prototype and combat rocket-powered aircraft developed by Germany, the United States, the USSR and Japan in the 1940s, though initial development for some can be traced as far back as the 1920s. This is the last word on a technology that, had it been properly harnessed, might have changed the course of the Second World War.

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• 1 First Flights
• 2 Daytime Combats Over the Reich
• 3 The Gleitjäger Concept
• 4 Verbrauchsflugzeug Competition
• 5 Solid-Propellant Rockets
• 6 The Bordjäger Concept
• 7 Rammschussjäger Specification
• 8 Turbojet/Rocket Mixed Power Plant
• 9 Combat Rocket-Planes
• 10 Chasing the Mach One—German Supersonic Projects
• 11 The Strahlrohrjäger Concept
• 12 Objektschutzjäger Programme
• 13 Towed Projects
• 14 Trolley-Launched Projects
• 15 Ramp-Launched Projects
• 16 Conventional Landing Gear
• 17 Ejector Seats
• 18 Bi-Propellant Rocket Engines
• 19 Projekt Natter
• 20 Air-to-Air Spin-Stabilised Rockets
• 21 Air-to-Air Fin-Stabilised Rockets
• 22 Wernher von Braun Rockets
• 23 Russian Rocket-Planes
• 24 Cold War
• 25 American Rocket-Fighters
• 26 Japanese Rocket-Fighters
• Plates