Panzerschreck rocket dimensions

[Grzesio]

Ok, it sounds silly, having in mind how common the rocket was, but it appears to be a surprisingly tricky question - what are the actual dimensions of the 8,8 cm RPzBGr 4322 rocket?

The rocket is most commonly described in books and EOD manuals as being 66 cm (sometimes 65 cm) long. But I've seen two original German drawings from 1943, where the length of the complete rocket is given as 702.2 mm and 703.2 mm (or 662.5 mm and 663.5 mm without the fuse respectively, in the latter case the body without fuse and fins is 658.5 mm long). When I compared these drawings with photos of the rockets, the real rockets seemed to be shorter than in these drawings, though.

Then, what is the warhead assembly length? Various German plans give its length as 307.5 mm or 308.5 mm without the fuse. But according to an Allied report on the Panzerblitz 2 rocket, where the warhead is precisely measured, it was 313 mm long (the difference is in the rear conical part).

So what is in reality? Wouldn't someone like just to measure an actual rocket, please?

 

[sgdbdr]

According to invenio RH 8/4931 page 4 ( https://invenio.bundesarchiv.de/invenio/direktlink/d2c84d13-b249-41f8-a2fa-9d47b717eca4/ ) it is 702,2mm

Cheers,

S.

 

[Grzesio]

Thank you, I know the drawing - the problem is. when you compare it with photos of real rockets, they are stubbier than in this drawing. Hence my question.

One of my comparisons with photos - drawing 702.2 mm long (upper), and drawing 660 mm long (lower). The real rockets seem to be 660 long.

 

[Irod7]

I don`t have a full rocket in my collection, but i have the motor tube.
The total length of the tube is 272mm (including the thread from the bottom, that the tail sheet metal screws on, and the thread that goes in the warhead).
The height without the warhead thread is 261mm.
Maybe this helps you with scaling the drawing.

 

[Grzesio]

Thank you very much!
In the image linked by sgdbdr the distance from the rear end of the combustion chamber wall to the rear end of the warhead appears to be ~311 mm, there's also a 4 mm high step between the combustion chamber and the warhead, so the outer wall of the combustion chamber is ~307 mm long.
So it seems, the engine was shortened by 46-50 mm at some point in 1943 and so the rocket was ąpproximately 655 mm long in its final form indeed.

 

[Irod7]

Unfortunately i can`t open the link to check myself (error 500).
But just as extra info, I also measured the distance on the inside of the motor.
From the bottom of the part (rear end of the motor) to the shoulder on the inside, my motor measures 246mm.

 

[Grzesio]

Here's the drawing with some my measurements.

 

[Alan1]

Good Evening, Grzesio.
Here is a pic of an original in my own collection. The fuze is dated 44.
If you will tell me precisely what you want me to measure I'll do my best. Be aware that some components will not be necessarily fully screwed home, giving a plus or minus of a mil or two.
Alan1.

 

[AKON_]

According to invenio RH 8/4931 page 18 it is L-698,2 mm
AkonView attachment 8,8cm RB _ RH_8_4931_0018.jpg