Introduction

Bronco Models has not wasted any time in releasing the third of their World War Two German Surface to Air missiles, this one is listed as the Rheintochter R3p. The Rhine Maiden 3 was the last of the designs to be worked on during the war before the project was cancelled in early 1945. This particular version of the missile was the least produced or at least fired with less than 10 being launched. I do not believe there are any examples of the Rheintochter R3p left beyond remaining motors; I have seen a motor at the Cosford RAF Museum and I have seen images of what I believe is a mock-up of the Rheintochter R3p, but I could not find any period drawings or photographs of this version of the missile and so I have to take it on faith that the mock up photographs are accurate.

Contents

This offering from Bronco Models is packaged in the typical cardboard tray and separate card lid. On the lid there is an artist’s impression of the missile. The sprues are packed individually in plastic bags for the most part and the all of this has resulted in a model that has survived transport from China to the UK very well. The contents break down as follows:
11 grey sprues
2 photo etched frets
A decal sheet
An instruction booklet
A promotional leaflet

Review

A check over the contents is always a good place to start with any review and as usual for Bronco Models the contents are pleasing. A check reveals no concerns with the various mouldings as they are cleanly moulded and free from imperfections. As is usual with model offerings from Bronco Models there are some very fine parts that will require a lot of care during removal to prevent breakage and of course care while cleaning the parts. There are some flow lines present in some parts, but these have not caused imperfections in the finish.

The firing platform for this model is the same as in the previous two offerings from Bronco Models, and so if you are familiar with either of the previous releases you will know how to tackle the majority of the model. When the first offering of these anti-aircraft rockets were released by Bronco Models Carlos Martin provided a build review of the model on the site, because of this I will be looking at the missile only and I have provided a link to the build review at the end of the review.

The Rheintochter R3p was a single stage rocket unlike the Rheintochter R-2. There is very little information that I could find about this missile other than the missile was a liquid fuelled rocket and had two solid fuel booster rockets mounted on opposite sides. The four directional blades on the nose of the missile are the same as the second offering and so I believe correct. In the belief that this detail is correct the single bolt that secures the single bracket to each of the blades is missing and will need to be added.

The main flight fins of this offering also look to have been shared with the previous version of the model and so like the steering fins I believe will be wooden, the fins of the previous missile I saw where bare wood with a gloss coat, but I would have thought that production versions of the missile would have been painted. The body shape and form looks a good match for the mocked up missile online, and so I am happy to accept they are correct.

Moving onto the solid fuel booster rockets and a potential issue raises its head. Bronco models has provided multi thrust side boosters; the pod has more than one jet exhaust on each pod, 6 on each booster. The only example I have been able to find shows a completely different design of booster rocket with a single thrust exhaust, I cannot say which is wrong or right due to the very limited information I was able to find on this specific variant of the missile, so if you have information to clarify this I would be happy to hear it.

This offering from Bronco Models has been provided with a transport trolley, I quite like this addition to the model as it provides alternate display options. I would imagine that the missile is craned onto its launch platform and I suspect that the liquid booster rockets are added after the missile is mounted on the launch platform.

Conclusion

It is hard to really write a conclusion on this model due to the very limited amount of information and even less photographs that are available. It will make a great addition to the range made previously by Bronco Models and so far as I can tell accurate with the possibility of the booster motors being a different design. I am pleased to see the transport carriage supplied due to the number of display options it opens up for the modeller. Due to the limited information I am unable to judge just how accurate this model is and I can only use best judgement.

Links

Building Bronco Models Long Range Rocket Rheinbote