Thread: Ruhrstahl/Kramer X-1 Fritz X

Ruhrstahl/kramer PCI400x Fritz X

Designed by Dr. Max Kramer, the PC 400X was on of the world's first two operational anti-shipping missiles. Built around the standard PC 1400 armour piercing bomb, the Fritz X was steered by radio control (via tail mounted spoilers) onto the target. From a launch altitude of 19,680 ft (6,000 m), the weapon was capable of piercing 5½ in (130 mm) armour plate.

Ruhrstah/kramer PCI400X Fritz X

• TYPE: Steerable, free-fall, armour piercing bomb
• WEIGHT: Operational 3,454 lb (1,570 kg) Warhead 704 lb (320 kg)
• DIMENSIONS: Span across fins 4 ft 5'/8 in (1.35 m) length 10 ft 8'/8 in (3.26 m) Body Diameter 1 ft 10in (0.56 m)
• PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed 630 mph (1,035 km/h) after 26,240 ft (8,000 m) fall. Minimum launch altitude 13,125 ft (4,000 m). Minimum range up to 2.8 mls (4.5 km) when launched from 13,125 ft (4,000 m) Maximum range mls (9.0 km)when launched from 26.240ft (8,000 m)

Designed specifically to deliver the PC 1400X steerable free-fall bomb, the long wing span Dornier D0217K-2 entered service with III/KG 100 during the summer of 1943. Used in the anti-shipping role, the PC 1400X/Do217K-2 combination was responsible for sinking the Italian battle-ship Roma on 9 September 1943 as well as severely damaging HMS Warspite during the Salerno landings.

Dornier Do217K-2

• TYPE: Four-seat specialised missile-delivery aircraft.
• ENGINES: Two 1,700 hp BMW 801D air-cooled radial engines.
• WEIGHT: Approximately 19,845 lb (9,000 kg) empty.
• DIMENSIONS: Wingspan approximately 81 ft (24.69 m) Length 55 ft 7'12 in (16.98 m) Height 16 ft6 in (5.03 m)
• ARMAMENT: Four 7.9 mm MG 81 machine guns, two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns and two 3,454 lb (1,570 kg) PC 1400X Fritz X steerable free-falling bombs.
• PERFORMANCE: Bomb delivery altitude between 19,680 ft (6,000 m) and 26,240 ft (8,000 m). Maximum speed approximately 273 mph (440 km/h) at sea level.

When used by II/KG 100, launch of the Hs293 glide bomb would be made from a range of about 6 miles (9.65 km) from the target, with the aircraft flying parallel and to port of the target course. Missile control was by radio. Once launched, the bomb aimer tracked the missile by means of a flare in its tail. Accuracy was maintained by keeping the bright flare superimposed on the target.