217/II

Pre-World War II anti-aircraft missile flown in the USSR. The 217/II follow-on to the 217/I had the first 'rocket' layout - four small wings, each all-moving.

The missile was launched from a 10 m long rail that could be elevated. A solid rocket would accelerate the missile to 1000 m altitude, after which the missile would decelerate. Tests with sub-scale powder rockets proved the viability of the cruciform wing layout. The project was directed by M P Dryazgov.

Manufacturer: Korolev. Total Mass: 140 kg (308 lb). Total Length: 184.00 m (603.00 ft). Span: 0.79 m (2.58 ft). Maximum range: 6.84 km (4.25 mi). Boost Propulsion: Solid rocket. Boost engine: PTP propellant, 17.5 kg, 3.5 sec burn time. Maximum speed: 300 kph (180 mph). Ceiling: 3,270 m (10,720 ft).

• Yeftifyev, M D, Iz istorii sozdaniya zenito-raketnovo shchita rossii, Vuzovskaya kniga, Moscow, 2000. Comprehensive history of development of the development of surface-to-air and anti-ballistic missiles in the Soviet Union, with summaries of work in other countries as well. Accessed at: http://www.eastview.com/xq/ASP/sku=A2010232/f_locale=/Evtif'ev/MD/Moskva/Russia/Russian/qx/russian/books/product.asp.