Fi 103A-1/ Re 4 Reichenberg

In June 1944, only a week after the Allied landings in Normandy, a German offensive was launched against Great Britain (and later also against targets on the continent) with V-1 flying bombs. However, the accuracy of the attacks was later found to be rather unsatisfactory by the Luftwaffe High Command, and it was suggested that manned missiles be used to increase accuracy. Small and heavily defended targets were to be attacked with modified V-1 flying bombs. These attacks were initially not to be suicidal and the pilot was to be able to steer the aircraft towards the target and then parachute out.
At least that was the theory.

The manned flying bomb project was named Reichenberg, the first three versions of the manned missile were used for training purposes and only the fourth version to be developed (Reichenberg IV) was to be used in real operations.
The R-IV was a modified V-1 flying bomb that carried a pilot's cockpit with standard controls instead of one of the compressed air tanks in the fuselage.
The cockpit had a one-piece canopy with an armoured glass window that opened to the right.
The speed of 700-800 km/h when diving towards the target and the type of canopy gave the pilot only a small chance of survival.
The Fi 103s were to be launched from a He 111 bomber and production yielded a total of about 175 Reichenberg IVs, none of which were ever used.
In the autumn of 1944, the 5th / KG200 unit was set up and training of Fi 103 flight instructors was also to begin, but the unit's new commander, Geschwaderkommodore Lieutenant Colonel Werner Baumbach, ordered the disbandment of the Reichenberg unit after a meeting with the Führer himself.
After the war, a handful of the manned Fi 103 flying bombs were captured and examined by the Allies.

Plastic model kit

Scale 1:48