Note on an Unusual Version of a Classic Russian Aerospace Text

JF Ptak Science Books   Post 2527

V.I. Feodosiev (with his two initials looking ironically similar to the V1 that he wrote about) and G.B. Simiarev wrote a classic textbook¹ in rocket technology which was published in Moscow in 1958.  Even though it was translated and published in English the following year by Academic Press, the version here seems to have been translated in the same year as its Russian edition. I've had some translations-on-demand in the store that were fast-tracked for the particular agency that needed the work, translations that sometimes didn't appear in English for years afterwards.  In this case the Feodosiev was translated (anonymously) for an undisclosed agency, though this copy wound up in the library of  the NASA Division of Research Information². It could well be that the work was produced for NASA but frankly there are many other candidates for the point of origin of interest.  This copy is definitely different from the Academic Press translation, so at least two different translations were made of the text.  

I really don't have that much to offer here on this edition, except to note its differences from the Academic Press version, though this may be of some use to someone working in this area.  

• The original is available via the blog's bookstore, here.

Here's an abstract/summary of the work (which has a slightly different title)  by the Academic Press 1959 version of this publication: 

"Introduction to Rocket Technology focuses on the dynamics, technologies, aerodynamics, ballistics, theory of servomechanisms, principles of navigation instruments, and electronics involved in rocket technology."

"The publication first takes a look at the basic relationships in the theory of reactive motion; types of jet propelled aircraft and their basic construction; and types of reaction motors and their construction. Discussions focus on air breathing motors, anti-aircraft rockets, long range bombardment rockets, surface to surface, short range bombardment missiles, thrust of a rocket motor, and operating efficiency of a rocket motor. The text then examines rocket motor fuels and processes in the combustion chamber of a rocket motor."

[V-1, from page 42]

To my eye it seems as though there is a lot of material here concerning the V2, including schematics. There is also material on what very much looks like the "Wasserfall" anti-aircraft weapon (Ferngelenkte Flakrakete C-2), though it is not named so, but by the diagram it certainly seems to be the weapon

[V2, from page 46]

 [From page 72]

And what I think is the Wasserfall:

Table of contents and pagination compared to the online version (Introduction to Rocket Technology, published by Academic Press in 1959), with the online version title and pagination in parenthesis. (This copy measures 27cm while the Academic Press copy is 24cm.)

Chapters I-X:

• Introduction, pp 4-14
• I - Basic Relations of Reactive Propulsion Theory, pp 15-28, (The Basic Relationships in the Theory of Reactive Motion, Pages 10-24)
• II - Types of Jet Propulsion Vehicles and Fundamentals of their Design, pp 30-65 (Types of Jet Propelled Aircraft and Their Basic Construction, Pages 25-68)
• III - Types of Jet Populsion Engines, their Design and Performance Features, pp 69-98 (Types of Reaction Motors, Their Construction and Operational Characteristics, Pages 62-90)
• IV - Rocket Engine Propellants, pp 98-138 (Rocket Motor Fuels, Pages 91-126)
• V - The Processes in the Rocket Engine Combustion Chamber, pp 139-173 (The Processes in the Combustion Chamber of a Rocket Motor, Pages 127-160)
• VI - Flow of Products of Combustion Through the Rcket Engine Nozzle, pp 174-215 ( Flow of the Combustion Products through the Nozzle of a Rocket Motor, Pages 161-199)
• VII - Forces and Moments Acting on a Rocket in Flight, pp 216-265 (Forces and Moments Acting on the Rocket in Flight, Pages 200-248)
• VIII - Flight Path of a Rocket, pp 266-289, (Rocket Flight Trajectory, Pages 249-272)
• IX - Fundamental Principles of Stabilization and Guidance, pp 290-338 (The Basic Principles of Stabilization and Steering, Pages 273-321)
• X - Associated Ground Equipment and Launching Devices, pp 339-370, (Ground Equipment and Launching Devices, Pages 322-340)

[From page 37]

Notes

1.  Feodosev, V.I. (Vsevelod Ivanovich, b 1916 ) and G.B. Siniarev, Introduction to Rocket Engineering. Defense Industry Publishing House, Moscow, 1958. 11x8.5", 2 volumes, printed on one side of the leaf only, 340pp.  

Provenance: Library of Congress, via NASA (Division of Research Information), with a rubber stamped receiving date of July 30 1959).

2.  "In 1946 Lewis had created a Division of Research Information at NACA headquarters, prompted by "the greater productive capacity of the laboratories, combined with the greater need for the quick application of research findings by the military services and the aircraft industry as a result of the rapid changes taking place in the science of aeronautics. Each of the three subordinate offices in this new division was intended to solve one phase of the problem" (of information dissemination).   history.nasa.gov/SP-4103/ch10.htm