Aircraft Rocket Motors: With Special Reference to German Developments with Hydrogen Peroxide

THE rocket motor is a form of jet propulsion which is characterized by independence of the external atmosphere for combustion, relative independence of altitude and flight velocity upon thrust, small frontal area for high thrusts, simple construction and low weight, and high rate of fuel consumption. Its use was greatly developed during the war years and many applications are now familiar to all. Most of the work on rocket missiles, such as the anti‐aircraft barrages, fighter armament, etc., was performed with solid fuel rockets, but liquid fuels were developed by the Germans for the well‐known V.2, for the Me. 163 aircraft, the Henschel glide bomb and various other applications. They concentrated a great deal of effort on this work and considerable technical progress had been made with different systems. Three main systems emerged and these were distinguished by the oxygen bearing fluids they used. The fluids were: