EMW A-4B Piloted Rocket (1945)

SCALE: 1/72

INITIAL RELEASE: 1997

MEDIUM: Polystyrene

RARITY: (2)

ABOUT THE DESIGN

ABOUT THE KIT

In late 1944, German rocket scientists at the top-secret Peënemunde skunkworks in northeast Germany successfully test-flew a winged version of their already roaringly successful A-4 (V-2) medium-range ballistic missile -- reportedly breaking the sound barrier in the effort.  Their goal was to build a more accurate -- and deadly -- variation of the weapon that was already raining havoc on London and it environs.  With accuracy still a nagging problem, the Von Braun team came up with the bright idea of augmenting the missile's primitive gyroscopic guidance system with a live pilot.  According to the proposed scenario, the pilot would steer the weapon toward its intended target, then bail out at the last possible moment.   Although several unmanned winged A-4Bs were successfully test-flown between early winter 1944 and spring 1945, no piloted version was ever actually constructed, leaving it in the realm of the "What Ifs?"

Special Hobby, a division of MPM Models, Czech Republic, released this unique kit in 1997 to meet the growing interest in so-called "Luftwaffe '46" vehicles.   The launching stand was included.  This model was built from an original issue.

Artist: Josha Hildwine

Original Box Art