V-2 Ignition sequence

I have been wondering about the sequence of events that take place in a V-2 engine. Does the pyrotechnic igniter start first then the admission of the propellants? or do the propellants enter thechamber them the igniter fires? And do both oxygen and alcohol flow simultaniously or does one or the other start flowing first? Just a geek question.


"For God's sake Jim, it's a V-2, not a bottle rocket!

Dr. McCoy would have said that.

I've been recently reading on the history of the V2, etc.

From V2Rocket.com

"The V2 was then oriented to its exact firing position by using a dial-sight incorporated into the launching table. The firing troops then would install the electrical igniter into the combustion chamber. After all personnel and vehicles were cleared from the launching site, the troop commander would enter the firing control vehicle. It was from this armored vehicle that the final remote tests of the steering controls were completed. The troop commander then at some point would give the order to launch the V2. The liquid oxygen and alcohol then flowed by gravity to the exhaust nozzle, where they were lit by the igniter, which resembled a pinwheel, sparking as it rotated. This 8-ton burning in itself was not sufficient to launch the rocket, but it did give the control officer a visual indication that the rocket was burning properly. Once the launch control officer believed the rocket was ready to fire, an electric command was sent to start the fuel pumps. The fuel pump steam turbine reached full speed, the fuel flow reached its full value of 275 pounds-per-second and the engine thrust reached about 69,000 pounds. After the rocket was away, the firing crews would swiftly depart from the area. "


Interesting fact: more people died in the production of V2 rockets (concentration camp laborers), than in their actual use.

V2Rocket.com, is an excellent source, another interesting V2 fact, a key operational limiter was the potato crop so they could make the ethyl alcohol, used as fuel, which was then spiked with methyl alcohol to keep the ground crews from drinking it.

kpklein said:

I have been wondering about the sequence of events that take place in a V-2 engine. Does the pyrotechnic igniter start first then the admission of the propellants? or do the propellants enter thechamber them the igniter fires? And do both oxygen and alcohol flow simultaniously or does one or the other start flowing first? Just a geek question..

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Although not specific to the V2, I read somewhere long ago that if the alcohol/LOX mix isn't ignited immediately as it mixes it forms globs of a gel which can and often do detonate and destroy the engine. Understandable considering this:

"If liquid oxygen spills on asphalt or other surfaces contaminated with combustibles, do not walk on or roll equipment over the area of the spill. There have been accidents where liquid oxygen was spilled onto asphalt which caused an explosion when a truck was driven over the spill."