Taifun
Taifun (rocket)
Taifun (
German for "typhoon") was a German
World War II anti-aircraft unguided rocket system. Waves of Taifuns were to be launched en-mass into US
B-17 formations hoping for a direct hit. Although never deployed operationally, the system was copied in the US as the
Loki, and the USSR as R-103.
The Taifun project originally dates to 25 September 1942, when
Hermann Göring authorized the start of a number of anti-aircraft projects after a long hiatus when all such advanced development had been frozen by
Hitler. Along with the Taifun, the
Enzian,
Rheintochter,
Schmetterling and
Wasserfall were also given full funding.
The Taifun proposal was developed by a small team at
Peenemuende along with the Electromechanische Werke in
Karlshagen. Their design was 193 cm long and 10 cm in diameter, with four small stabilizing fins at the base. The engine was fueled by a
hypergolic mixture of
nitric acid and "Optolin", pressure fed by firing a small
cordite charge into the tanks, which started the fuel flow and launched the rocket. Nominal range was to have been about 15 km, with a maximum altitude of 12 km.
The original plans called for 2 million to have been produced by January 1945, but the engine experienced lengthy delays and none were ever deployed operationally. The only such system to see operational use was British, who deployed both the
Unrotated Projectile and
2 inch RP during the war. The US developed the Loki Dart which looks similar to your photos.From the internet. Hope this helps,Arnie
