Tag: radio-controlled

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German

H. s. 293: Radio-Controlled Glider Bomb

Henschel Hs 293: Radio-Controlled Glider Bomb

The German high explosive bomb, H. s. 293, is a radio-controlled, jet-propelled glider, designed primarily for use against merchant ships and naval craft. It is usually released when the plane is in level flight at an altitude of from 3,000 to 5,000 feet, and at a distance of from 3 to 5 miles from the target. However, the bomb is not launched directly at the target, but is released during flight on a course parallel to that of the target. Upon release, the jet propulsion automatically goes into action, and thereafter the flight of the bomb is controlled from the airplane by radio. It is apparently aimed by eye alone and, as an aid to visibility, the tail is provided with flares and an electric lamp for night use.

H. s. 293 is made up of six main parts: the bomb which forms the forward part of the fuselage; the rear portion of the fuselage containing the radio control unit, a gyro, and a destructor; the jet propulsion unit (slung from the base of the bomb); the wings, or planes; the tail plane; and the tail tracer unit. The bomb case is of forged steel and is filled with approximately 600 pounds of 60/40 poured Amatol. A cylinder of compressed T.N.T. pellets lies in this filling, running forward from the fuze pocket. The control unit consists of a radio receiver, a motor generator, and a relay unit. A radio destruction device is located directly under the radio receiver and consists of a small charge with a clockwork fuze.

Propulsion is accomplished by means of a bi-liquid rocket unit. Wings and tail planes are of aerofoil section and the skin is of thin sheet alloy. Ailerons are provided for lateral control, and an elevator is concealed in the tail plane. Five flare candles burning consecutively make up the tail tracer unit.

SPECIFICATIONS

Overall length       148 ins.
Length of bomb 60 3/4 ins.
Diameter of bombV18 1/2 ins.
Total weight (approx.) 1,980 lbs.
Span of mainplanes 122 5/8 ins.
Span of tailplanes 43 3/4 ins.
Diameter of jet-propulsion unit (approx.) 12 ins.
Weight of bomb (approx.) 1,320 lbs.
Color Sky-blue

German: p. 315

Categories
German

Radio-Controlled Demolition Vehicle—B IV

Radio-Controlled Demolition Vehicle - Borgward B IV

This vehicle is designed to convey a heavy demolition charge to a selected tactical objective, at which point the load may be dropped, the vehicle retracted, and the charge detonated. While it may be driven near the target, its special feature is the remote radio-control with which it may be operated after the driver leaves. Its chief use is to demolish pillboxes and strongpoints.

The hull, which is of one piece welded construction, is divided into three compartments. The engine, radio equipment, and hydraulic mechanism are contained in the rear compartment, the transmission units in one of the forward compartments, and the driver’s controls and instruments in the other. Three overlapping flaps of 8 mm armor protect the top of the driver’s compartment.

The vehicle is powered by a 6-cylinder, inline, water-cooled, gasoline engine, similar to commercial types. It develops approximately 80 horsepower and is supplied by two fuel tanks with a combined capacity of 28.6 gallons.

From the engine, the drive is taken forward through a fluid coupling to the gear box. Two speeds forward and two speeds reverse are provided by high and low range gears. Power is transmitted to the forward sprockets through a train of four spur gears. Suspension is on torsion bars. There are five double rubber-tired bogie wheels on each side. The cast steel center guide tracks have detachable rubber pads and are 7 3/4 inches wide.

An 800-pound explosive charge is carried in a container on the sloping front. Drop arms hinged to the sides of the front permit the warhead to be lowered to the ground, jettisoned, and the vehicle withdrawn from the destructive arc before the charge is detonated by means of a time fuze or electric detonator.

Radio control of the vehicle is effected by transmitting a carrier of frequency between 24 Mc/s and 25 Mc/s which is amplitude modulated by audio frequency tones. The transmitter power is approximately 4 watts.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight       4 tons
Length 12 ft.
Width 6 ft.
Height (including driver’s shield) 4 ft., 7 ins.
Ground clearance 12 ins.
Tread centers 5 ft., 2 ins.
Ground contact 5 ft. 10.5 ins.
Width of track 7.75 ins.
Track links 50
Pitch of track 5.5 ins.
Armor
   Front plate 10 mm
   Sides 13 mm (5 mm + 8 mm)
Armament 800-lb. explosive charge
Engine 6-cylinder, O.H.V. gasoline, 80 horsepower.
Transmission 1 fwd, 1 reverse with high and low range—hydraulic clutch.
Steering Epicyclic steering brakes either manually or hydraulically controlled.
Crew 1
 
RADIO EQUIPMENT
Type receiver Superheterodyne
Frequency 24,600 kilocycles
Local oscillator Crystal controlled
Intermediate frequency 464 kilocycles
Tubes
   Receiver 1 ECH 11 Mixer-Oscillator
  1 EF 13 Fixed i-f amplifier
  1 EBF 11 second i-f AVC, Second detector
  2 EF 12 Audio amplifiers
   Filter unit 5 EF 12 Relay control
  1 EF 13 Relay control
Power supply 12 v. storage battery with dynamotor
Voltage Plate—200 v.
  Filament—6 v.

German: p. 40.2 (April 1, 1945)