The A-4 – or V-2 (reprisal weapon 2) – was the first ballistic missile. It was one of the most significant advances in weapons technology every achieved and nearly 5,000 were fired by Germany in the last year of World War II.

A group of young German enthusiasts began developing liquid fuelled rockets in the 1920s.

By 1934 the work had been given official status with funds from the army and the establishment of a teat range.  In 1937 the research team moved to Peenemunde and began testing large rockets.

In late 1941 design of the large A-4 rocket was completed and its first successful launch occurred on 16 August 1942.

Hitler ordered the mass production as the V-2 and a stupendous manufacturing program got under way.

The first V-2s were fired (against Paris) on 6 September 1944 and the bombardment of London began on 8 September.

Over 10,000 V-2s were made and nearly 5,000 were fired.

This model represents a standard V-2 in late 1944.

Condor 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in October 1987.