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| Rheintochter | |
|---|---|
 A Rheintochter R1 missile on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center | |
| Type | Surface-to-air missile |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1942-1943 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in) |
| Warhead weight | 136 kg (300 lb) |
| Propellant | multi-stage solid fuel |
Rheintochter was a German surface-to-air missile developed by Rheinmetall-Borsig[1] during World War II. Its name comes from the mythical Rheintöchter (Rhinemaidens) of Richard Wagner's opera series Der Ring des Nibelungen.
The missile was a multi-stage solid fuelled rocket.[1] It had four small control surfaces, resembling paddles, in the nose, six fins at the after end of the top stage, and four at the end of the main stage.[1] It stood 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in) tall, with a diameter of 54 cm (1 ft 9 in).[1] The sustainer motor, located ahead of the 136 kg (300 lb) warhead (rather than behind, as is more usual) exhausted through six venturis between the first stage fins.[1]
