Chronology - Quarter 2 1939 home
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April 1939 - Launch Site: Peenemuende. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -. Launch Vehicle: V-2.
  • A4 in crisis Nation: Germany. After Hitler's visit, it finally it became clear to Dornberger that either support for the project would have to come from the highest level, or that Peenemuende should abandon rocket research and be devoted to more pressing war needs.

    Meanwhile the results of the air war over London showed that the A4 could be an economic weapon. Bombers were averaging only 5 to 6 missions, dropping only 6 to 8 tonnes of bombs before being shot down. Once the loss of trained flying crews was considered, the bomber cost 30 times more than the A4 to deliver a tonne of explosives on London compared to the expendable A4 at its production price of 38,000 Marks. But time was being lost in convincing others in the German leadership that the missile should be put into production. References: 693.

1939 May 15 -
  • Goddard Series P Section B rocket tests Nation: USA. These tests (P5-P12) ran through Aug. 4, 1939. The new gas generator was used in eight static tests at the desert launching lower. The two best tests on July 17 and Aug. 4, 1939 gave lifts of 700 lb for about 15 sec, with flow of oxygen at 4 lb/sec and gasoline at 3 lb/sec; jet velocities were in excess of 3200 ft/sec. This completed the series of 19 proving-stand tests. Average interval between tests 7 days References: 482.
1939 June 13 -
  • Korolev's prison sentence reviewed by Soviet secret police. Nation: USSR. The NKVD secret police confirm Korolev's sentence on 28 May 1940. On 10 July 1940 he is sentenced to eight years hard labor in the Kolyma gold mines.

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