The Fieseler Fi 103, better known as the V-1, also colloquially known in Britain as the ‘Doodlebug’, was an early pulse jet powered rocket. The V-1 was developed at Peenemünde Airfield by the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War. The first of the so-called Vergeltungswaffen series designed for terror bombing of London, the V-1 was fired from “ski” launch sites along the French (Pas-de-Calais) and Dutch coasts. The first V-1 was launched at London on 13 June 1944, one week after (and prompted by) the successful Allied landing in Europe. At its peak, over a hundred V-1s a day were fired at southeast England, 9,521 in total, decreasing in number as sites were overrun until October 1944, when the last V-1 site in range of Britain was overrun by Allied forces. This caused the remaining V-1s to be re-targeted on the port of Antwerp and other targets in Belgium, with 2,448 V-1s being launched. The attacks stopped when the last site was overrun on 29 March 1945. In total, the V-1 attacks caused 22,892 casualties.
Made of aluminum and steel, this V-1 Autopilot Umwandler dates around 1944, and is in VERY NICE relic condition! There are some marks, scratches and wear, but it is fairly complete! This was originally in the collection of a V-1 re-builder, who made a handful of complete and functional examples for various museums and private collections (using 90% original parts). EASILY identifiable as from a V-1 Rocket due to the shape, size, and structure. I have indicated it’s location in the last photos (also shown is the engine that was restored to functioning condition). This is an EXTRAORDINARILY rare piece, and would make a SUPERB addition to any collection, display, or restoration project!
