° ZEON SSIXAS 31dOUd SSSVMLAN) OPPUEW\/EPUBNYY Miranda & Ph : - ‘\y) A SCHIFFER MILITARY HISTORY BOOK{A provisional launch tower made of wood was used pending introduction ofthe production version made of steel. Unmanned test launches, wore conducted with this apparatus. Here one of the Bachem Ba 349 prototypes Is seen being raised onto the tower. 2Vertical Takeoff Fighter Aircraft of the Luftwaffe J. Miranda & P. Mercado In 1932 the Heereswatfenamt formed a department for rocket re- search. In 1934, however, a lack of funding forced the department to be shut down, The civilian “Association for Space Flight" and several of its most impor- tant members (Wernher von Braun, Klaus Riedel) joined the Heereswatfenamt as engineers under Hauptmann Domnberger. ‘The new team's first rocket devel- ‘opment, the A1 (Aggregat 1), failed on liftoff. The cause was found to be the engine, which burned liquid oxygen and alcohol. The rocket was stabilized by a gyro system installed in the nose cone, The next model, the A2, was equipped with a gyro stabilizer located in the rocket's center of gravity. In De- cember 1934 it reached an altitude of 2,400 m. The A3 combined a number of crt- ‘cal new developments, including guide vanes in the rocket nozzle to provide stabilization during liftoff. A number of launches were made from Greitwald in 1937, revealing several problems in the yt0 control system. ‘The AS, which was built in 1939, was the first design to find the correct, ‘combination of propulsion system, sta- bilization, and fight controls, and made possible the design of the Ad (V-2) In addition to his work with the army, Wernher von Braun also con- ducted research on a rocket propulsion system forinstallation in a conventional aircraft with the objective of increasing its performance. ‘Atthe end of June 1937 a Heinkel He 112 flew with a rocket engine burn- ing liquid oxygen and alcohol. On 6 July 1939 von Braun made a proposal to the RLM for a vertical-take- off rocket interceptor based on the les- sons learned from the A3. The aircraft would be stowed in a hangar on two vertical guide rails spaced six meters apan.. An undercarriage, which could be jttisoned electrically afte lito, was, Used to transport the machine from the hangar to takeoff position over a jet blast deflector. When a target was detected by an air defense radar, for example the Fu MG 39T “Wurzburg,” the fight control center would calculate the optimal fight path and launch the aircraft by remote Control. During the first $3 seconds of the climb, stablization and the exhaust guide vanes would be controlled auto- ‘matically by the gyro system. On reaching 8,000 meters the pi- lot assumed control and switched to auxiliary propulsion, While this was less powerful, it also required loss fuel. In- tercept speed was in the 700 kph range. Drawings of the machine reveal that twas to have been equipped with a parabolic radar antenna in the nose similar to that of the FuG 240/1 "Berlin Net" of 1945. Itappears that this project was part of an advanced all-weather intercep- tion system. It was also planned to equip the machine with a target loca- tor, probably a predecessor of the “Spanner” infrared detector of 1941 The pilot sat in a pressurized cockpit with a double-glazed windscreen. The outer skinning provided the aerody- namic form, while the inner was prob- ably an integrated armored part of the cockpit. ‘After completing its intercept mis- sion, the aircraft would glide back to base and land on a skid in the fashion of the Me 163. The design was remarkably simi- lar to the Bell X-1, which flew super- sonically forthe first time on 14 Octo- ber 1947 The project was extremely ad- vanced in concept, and the RLM be- lieved that such an exotic design could not be realized. ‘One ofthe main problems was the storage, handling, and transport of the fuel, which had to be maintained at a very low temperature. ‘The FILM supported development of the Walter HWK Ri I-208 rocket mo- tor which, while not as powerful, was safer. It used a diferent fuel that was cheaper than liquid oxygen and easier to procure. Following this decision Wernher von Brauin reworked his desian. and on 25 May 1941 he presented the RLM with an improved version of his inter- ceptor fighter based on the technology of the AB rocket The aircraft was powered by a rocket motor with two combustion chambers, which burned a mixture of Visol and’SV-Stoft. Both propellants were easy to store at a standard tem- perature. The Luftwarfe was not interested in the idea, however. Its interest cen- tered on Erich Bachem, technical di rector of the Fieseler Werke. In 1941 Bachem had published two designs for a vertcal-takeott rocket interceptor. The first, known as the Fi 166 Hohenjager /(High-Atitude Fighter |), consisted of a rocket similar to the AS in which was incorporated a jet fighter with engines beneath the wings. The second design, the Fi 166 Hoheniager Il, was a large two-seat rocket aircraft. It was very similar to Wernher von Braun's first design foran interceptor fighter. In spring 1944 the RLM requested submissions for a point-defense fighter. The manufacturers again proposed a rocket-propelled aircraft This request gave birth to the Projekte P1077 “Julia” by Heinkel, the Junkers EF 127 ‘Dolly,” and the BP-20 “Natter’ by Erich Bachem. By that ime Bachem had already established his, ‘own aircraft company. The "Dolly" was designed to take off conventionally on a takeoft trolley propelled by rockets whose thrust could be regulated. There were two versions of the “Julia.” In the “Julia I the pilot occu- pied a prone position in the cockpit. ‘This was designed to avoid loss of con- sciousness in maneuvers at high speed. The “Julia II" was designed to take off from a near-vertcal ramp. The pilot occupied a siting PN so as to be able to withstand the acceleration during takeoff. This position is standard today in manned spacecraft The BP-20 was very similar. twas anticipated, however, that after com- pleting its mission its main components 3Technical Data AB State of Development Purpose: Wings: Fuselage: Tail Section Undercarriage: Power Plant |rm — ae ane feenes Eanes Design ‘Supersonic research aireratt Metal structure and skin ‘Metal structure with metal skinning ‘covering the nosewheel, the pres- sutized cockpit, the methy|-alcohol tank, the gasoline tank (Br-Stoff) for the turbo-ramjet engine, the under- carriage wells and the payload (in- | struments, cameras).Also contained Inthe fuselage are the tank for the liquid oxygen, the rocket motor and the combustion chamber. Metal structure with metal skinning, plus small guide vanes in the rocket nozzle. The ventral fin normally in- stalled on the A4 and Adb could be deleted to accommodate the turbo- ramjet engine. Tricycle undercarriage (One EMW rocket producing 27 500 kg of thrust and acceleration up to 6 1. One turbo-ramjet engine of un known type and performance, A-Stoff (liquid oxygen) and M-Stoff (methanol) 633m 15.75m 407m 173m 2.900 kph 9.500 m Schiffer Military History Atglen, PA “Translated from the German by David Johnston Copyright © 2001 by Schiter Publishing, Lt. AN rights reserved. No pat ofthis work may be reproduced or used in, ‘any forms or by any means—arap phi, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or information storage and retrieval systems — without writen permission from the copyright holder. Printed in China Technical Data von Braun Interceptor Ver State of Development: Project Structure: Metal Power Pant: ‘One liquid-4uel rocket motor based fon the A-3 rocket, wth two combus- tion chambers. Itwas hoped that the combustion chamber for vertical {akeoff would produce 10 000 kg of thrust and the combustion chamber {or cruising Hight 725 kg, Fuel Tanks: Thee tanks in the fuselage, one for AStof (liquid fue), ono for M- Stott (75% methy-alcoho) and the third {or the energizer (nitrogen) Guidance: Stablization by gyroscope. In vert- cal fight by quide Vanes in the rocket nozzle and the nozzle tse Incr ing fight conventional contols op- erated by the pil Armament Four machine-guns in pairs inthe wing roots Wingspan: B5m Length: 93m Height 302m | Payload: 5 000 kg Cruising Speed! 700 kph Rate of Gimb: 151 msec 8.000m Service Gelling: ‘Technical Data von Braun Interceptor Version I State of Development: Project Structure: Metal Power Plant: (ne liqui-fuel rocket motor based (on the A6 rocket, with two combus- tion chambers. Itwas hoped thatthe ‘main combustion chamber would produce 10 160 kg of thrust and the ‘combustion chamber for cruising {light 770 kg, Fuel Tanks: Four tanks in the fuselage, one for SV-Stott (24% nitric acid, 6% nitro- {gen), one for Visol and two for T-Stott and Z-Stof Armament: Four machine-guns in pairs in the wing roots. Wingspan: 86m Length: 93m Height: 32m Payload 5.080 kg Cruising Speed: 1690 kph Rate of Climb: 1431 msec. Service Celing 8.000 m ISBN: 0-7643-1435-1 ‘This book was orginaly published under the tle, Augzeug Profie 357. Die iterentwicktongen by Flugzeug Pubiations We are interested in hearing trom authors With Book ideas on related topics. Publishes by Scitfer Publishing Li “S880 Lower Valley Road ‘glen PA T9810, Phone: (610) 893-1777 FAX: (610) 395-2002 E-mail Schilfer@ aol.com. Visit our web ite at: wr sehiferbooks.com Please write fora fice catalog “Tis hook may be pachase Irom the publisher, Pease include $3.95 pong “Tey your bookstore fist {In Europe, Schifer books are distributed by: ‘Bushwood Books| ‘6 Markshry Ave Kew Gardens Surrey TW9 SF England Phone: 40) 20 8392-8585 FAX: 44 (0) 20 8392-9876 rai Busha a0l com, inthe UK. Europe: ar mai at ost Try your bookstore first. 4Technical Data Heinkel He 112 V5 (Werknummer 1292) State of Development: Purpose: Wings: Fuselage: Tail Section: Undercarriage: Power Plants: Fuel: Propeller: Wingspan: Length: Height: Wing area: Maximum speed: Flight test Experimental rocket-powered aircraft Metal structure and skinning, metal landing flaps plus two fuel tanks between the mainwhee! wells and the fuselage. Metal structure and skinning, a tank for liquid ‘oxygen in front of the cockpit, a tank for methyl alcohol behind the cockpit and one for gasoline beneath the pilot's seat as well as several bottles ‘of compressed air. The rocket motor was located in the aft fuselage, Metal structure and skinning with braced tail sur faces. Retractable mainwheels and fixed tallwheel. One liquid-cooled Junkers Jumo 210 C 12-cy- inder inverted-vee engine producing 600 H.P. One EMW rocket motor with an output of 300 kg for 90 seconds. Liquid oxygen and methyi-alcohol ‘One VOM three-blade propeller with a diameter of 1.58 meters 41.79 m 8.96 m 324m 21 me ‘480 kph with a rocket motor burn time of 90 sec. would separate and returnto earth be- neath parachutes for reuse, The increase in range which re- sulted rom the adtion of wings to the {Aa (V-2) caused Wernher von Braun to develop three diferent manned ver Sions ofthe rocket ‘the Adb was a manned research aircraft, he A9-an intercontinental Bomber, and the A6 a high-altude, | high-speed photo-reconnaissance air: crt “Tne AG was a supersonic research aircraft equipped with a turbo-ramjet engine in adi tothe primary rocket motor. The ramjet could only be stated Bt very high speeds, however, Start-up Would fake place at the apox of the ight path, as that was where the high: estspeed was achieved and where the rocket engine expended its fuel Under these conditions the tubo- ramjet engine, which burned synthetic fuel, made it possible for the A-6 to continue its fight for an ational 10- 20 minutes with no loss of speed or altitude Although the AG was a reconnais- ssance machine, it had the potential to be used as an interceptor fighter. ts performance exceeded the OKLre- {uirements, and the project was there. fore rejected “The A6 was equipped witha pres- surized cockpit, undercarriage, and braking parachute, The aircraft took off vertically like the Ad but made a con- ventional horizontal landing Elements of the AS design found their way into the American X-15 project. Some of the X-15's missions and results remain classified. There are photos showing an X-15 equipped with 8 turbo-ramjet engine in exactly the = same position as on the A6.Bachem Ba 349 Natter In Aptl 1946 the Allies were on the verge of achieving ar superonty over Germany. The large ‘numberof ghter groups equipped withthe Norn ‘American P-51 Mustang made it possible for some tobe diverted from the bomber escort role to ake the offensive against the Gorman fighter fore. In spite of heavy flak defenses, the Ger ‘man airfields remained vulnerable, increasingly the German units abandoned their permanent aiioids for second tne fields disguised as farms ‘orvillages. Gorman fighters took rom straight Soctions of the autobahn, but were subject to Attack by enomy ightrs whi retuming to land, Had the verical-takeot fighters timo ar fied? All the projects which the gonerals had laughed atin 1839 were now seen in a diferent light. What a great advance it would be to be able to dispense with conventional aol. ‘The more conventional proposals used the titrotor panciple, which could draw on the ex perience gained with the twin-engined helicop- ters already in service. ‘The Focke-Achgels Fa 269 could tum its rotors downward. This system was used by the Do 29, which fist flow in December 1958. The other projects, tke the Junkers EFSO and the Weserflug WP 1003, featured rotors Which tured upward. “Tho MM Bell XV-3 (1955) and Bell XV-15 (1977) research aieratt and the BellBoeing Vertl V:22 Osprey were all based on tis pin cil Heinkel proposed two ring-wing acral, the -wespe" and the “Lerche.” Both had a shrouded propeller and took ff and landed verteally. The ‘same system was used by the Lockhood XEV-1 ‘Salmon of 1954 and the Convair XFY-1 Pogo. "The French adopted the ring wing forthe SSNECMA.C 450 Coléoptére (1959), Focke-Wull developed the powered wing. ‘This was a fighter alrcratt whose wing turned Ike ‘a giant propeler powered by ramiot engines at ‘he wingtips (soe FLUGZEUG Profle No. 23) “This technology was later used in Great Betain on the Fairy Rotodyne (1958). Two Ger- rman manufacturers proposed smal rocket pro pelled aircraft which woul take of from a ram. Heinkel reworked its Projekt P1077 Julia” ‘ding a new cockpit which better enabled the pilot to withstand the gforces on takeot. Drawing on the development work by Wernher von Braun and the Fieseler Flugzeugwerke on the Fi 166 project, Bachem developed the Ba 349. Instead of an unpowered ‘lide and curved approach, which had caused humerous accidents wih the Me 163, the Ba 349 ‘would come apart in the ai, with each compo ‘ent returning to earth by parachute. This project offered advantages compared toits competors, Mass production of the Ba 349 was requested in autumn 1944, ‘The Fairey Deta |, a small point-defenso Interceptor, was buit in England ater the war. I ‘employed the same takeott principle, a vertical {akeot withthe aid of Booster rocks, “The following conditions affected develop- ‘ment ofthe Nater: R the ovetxing of Gorman ndisty oor suppy sation or mas ane 1 Srenage of operational ils andquaied oss Constucton tne forthe wooden skeet vas 290 nurs. woud be Bl smal wo Shops and eared no revs experience with Strat constuction “he planned propuision system was a single Wher oct ergiw 400 man-hours), wich wa aoa quantity producton forthe mets Sohal quate plots wait be needa, ‘heater was equpped wih an atop! wich ‘tas programmed te ude the ara wen ‘sua ange te enemy. Tho plo wus launch Misa of votes te enemy andthe ft trom the aca Manufacture ofthe armament, he booster ‘eka eaten and ayer ‘ould ogre another 350 man-hours, ie oar an operational Nate was hs +000 manu, win 600 out foreach Sub equert soe as Whe engine coud nat be re wea he slated metodo taken rested in nureraus problems with the coe ysiem ke the v2 ota he Naters ue specs vas ery tow for tot fw moter, Under these Conatone thee was coe a ean or tre contol eutacastobe civ. Evena gee het twin coup torte of course a. inthe val tatoo pase Four Schmieg ake. Citas octets were nad to sabe the Nate dug th tal phase og. Thase ac Celrated the Nair oa sale ight case of ‘main ong are ‘ie 20-melartigh aun ower also po- vided gace tos second of gt. ns Mis leo a salty measure aa fo Sehmting Teckel sometimes produced uneqal st nd ran mh co entre Nar cur. inspite hese messes, ere was lays an Unconvaled ares between Takeo and he echoing ta af pect “Anober measure wes helt fox uide vanes th engine nozzle. Those were Contoedmecnancalyby the .GWPatn aio plot The guide vanes wore water coledtope- ‘en! hem being damaged te hihenere: tie extauato Tests wi scale models wth a sections ct various sz shone hat sbi on ake ‘proved asthe soothe al was neroaso. ‘Tobe coluon wouhave been tomate he Sanofi that of hewn ng, Row. ter the would ave had 2 negate at on Imaneuveraiy, meking te aera shaph. inthe onda compromise was raced fo he preducton Ba eo Nato nat the cd the {aeuraces was doubled. “your Mss rottypes were Bui tice Bley determine the potent fhe pect “Ihe Bachem BP 20 Mt (Wesknummer 1) was but a © der 1 vestigate the pee handing charactors, Two water an wore installed to bring the glider up tothe operational Weight ofthe service ara ‘The M1 made its fst fight on 14 Decor ber 1944. An He 111 H.6 (OG+RN) towed the aircraft toa height of 5,500™m and subsequently eased it over the Heuberg test fla twas shown that maneuvorabiy and sta bilty wore good over the entire range from 200 to 700 kph. Lancing was not possible, and the ‘lot abandoned the aircrat by parachute. ‘The good handling characteristics ofthe Mt ‘meant that was not necessary Io assume that an aicrat would ba lost atthe end of each test fight. “The M2 was equipped with afhed under ‘carriage and braking parachute. The braking ‘chute was installed inthe same location asthe combustion chamber on production aicrat. The braking chute reduced lancing speed to 225 kph ‘andwas necessary on account the types shor ‘wingspan and lack of landing fps. The M2 100k othe at forthe frst tne on £22 December 1944, lowed by a Klomm KI 35, ‘The M8, also equipped witha fixed under cartage, was used totes the "Tragschiopp” tow system, This system had been developed to wx- tend the range ofthe Ju 87. Once again an He 111 H-8 was used as the tow aircraft “The Ml, MS, M6, and M7 were used to test cockpit separation rom te fuselage. Theso tests ‘wore conducted wit the aieaft unmanned ‘The ME was also used to tet the separa tion process in fight. This te, however, there was a pilot aboard the Natter. Fist flight took place on 14 February 1945, (0725 February 1945 the M9 took of from the 20-meterhigh launch tower, The M9 was powered by two Schmidding rockets. A dummy pilot was placed in the cockpit and was recov- ‘ered by parachute ‘The M10 was used for further cockpit sepa- ration tests. The Mit and M12 were used for lunmanned vertical launch tess, “The M13, Mid, and M18 wore used to test the automatic contol system. These tests re vealed thatthe Natters tabity during takeott was insufficient ‘The M16 was used to test wings within creased chord. The airrat took of from a 17- ‘meterhigh takeot ramp. The fightwas also used for urther ests onthe automate contol system, ‘The M17 was launched trom a 12.5-meter-high launch tower “The M18, M19, M0, and M21 were used to test various combinations of Schmicéng rock es. “The M22 was usedto evaluate the system's instalation and the rescue parachute on un- ‘manned fights. On 1 March 1945 the M23 made the fist manned vertical takaot. twas powered by four Schmiding rackets and a Walther ig- Lulduel rocket moter. For reasons unknown the NNatior Voered off course and exploded. The pi lot, Oberleutnant Lothar Sieber, was kiled “The M24 was used 0 callorae the autop lot. The airerah was unmanned. In March-April 1945 the M25 completed a successful manned fightNothing is known about the use of he M26, 1M27, M28, M29, and MO. Iti possible tha the ‘machines were used for stale lest to destruc- tion “The M31 was launched unmanned from an ‘semeter launch tower to test the braking para chute “The M32 was used in launch rll torsion experiments, “The M33 was launched without apa. The fight was used to test the separation of the Schmiding rockets trom the fuselage ‘The M34 completed another successful ‘manned takeot in March- Api 1945, ‘Wierknummer 35 was the fs pre:produe: tion alrrat I was designated the BP 208 or Bachem Ba 349A. Sateen pre-production aircraft (up to Werknummer 50) were bull. These di fered tom the M-seres mactunes in having larger cockpit windows with armor-glass panels and a broader-chord ventral in which incorporated & T-shaped guide ‘An addtional uido ral was added to the ‘takoot ramp to accept the guid on the ventral fin The Schmiding rockets wore also mocked. ‘Ono aircraft was equipped withthe “Grosse ohrbatteri 108" (Large Tube Battery 108), hich consisted oftity-¢wo 30-mm cannon bar. rels.Ashellwas placed in eachboarrlallof which wore fired electicaly in a single salvo. Range was 500 mater. Noone knew what elec the recoil from the ‘salvo would have onthe airrame. Testing ofthe ‘entire system was transfered tothe test unit in Stutgant-Krchheim, which in Apri 1945 had ten ‘icra. Other aircat were armed with a rocket ack containing 24 Hs 217 Fon unguided 73: mm rockets. These weapons had a range of 41,200 meters ‘The Hs 217 had been developed as an ai to-grouna weapon and was designed o be fred inasalvoot 35 projectiles. Stablization was pro- vided by guide vanes in the rocket nazz. They ‘wore housed in containers with twelve sx sided chambers, which were dubbed “Bienenwabe” (Honeycomb). It's not known ifthe Kirchheim test unt ‘achieved any ils before the takeott ramps were ‘captured by American oops. The next version, tho Ba 249 At, was ‘equipped with alorons, a argor nose capable ot accopting more rockts, a fully glazed canopy to improve view for the pilot anda larger ventral fin. The Ba 349-1 was an improved version for {ai combat, however, production was abandoned in favor ofthe B-version ‘The Ba 349 8 was powered by a Walther WK 109-509 C-1 rocket motor wth two com bustion chambers, one for takeoff and one for Cruse. The powerplant used loss ful, giving ‘he Ba 349 B a greater range than ts predeces: “The instalation of a eecond combustion chamber made it necessary to redesign he rear {uselage, resulting in an elliptical cross-section. ‘The new variant also incorporated the aero ‘equipped wing of the At an the tal suraces of thea, ‘Armament consisted ofa chamber foc thity: ‘wo RM "Orkan 55-mm unguided rockets. The RAM was designed wit folding fins and was housed ina cylingtcal chamber. had a range of 1,500 meters, and maximum speed and ac curacy were superior to those of the Hs 217. Thwas also planned to equip the Nattr with two MK 108 cannon beneath the pots postion The fuselage was deepened by 20 em and lengthened by 30 cm. A reflector gunsight wa supposed o be installed in place ofthe primitive liming system of the A-version. When the ai Craft sections separated atthe end ofthe mis sion, the gunsight went withthe nose section and was lost, For eg reasons the four Schmiing rock ts were movedatt. twas anticipated that these ‘would later be replaced by two Series 538 rock ls, Developed o assist in launching the Hs 117, "Schmettering” (Buttery), these rockets pro- duced 1,750 kg o thrust. “wo armor plates were installed in trnt of and behind the cockpit o protect the pil. Just three Ba 349 8 machi (Werknummer 51, 52, and 53) wore built before ‘the end of the wat, In the planning stage was the Ba 349 C. ihc took of from a mobile launcher, each of which could cary wo Ba 49 C. Te launch ramp was 12 motes long and could be raised to an ange of 80 degroes, Takeoff, Combat, and Recovery ‘The Ba 249 B was assembled, checked, and Celveredtoits launch positon. This process was. carried out by SS units designated *Sonderkommando-N” Like the Me 328 and Fi 103, the Ba 349 B was to be flown by members ofthe SS, This may also have been the reason ‘wy no nationality markings were applied to the arerat. ‘When a formation of bombers passed over ‘an area of Germany defended bythe Nate, the responsible command pos (Jagdschioss) alerted the affected unis, T-5 Minutes ‘When the order “air alart” was issued, the pilot want ta his aera and took his pace inthe cock pit withthe assistance ofthe ground crew. He pputonhis parachute hamess, fastened the stety bbl, connected the oxygen equipment, and.con- ‘acted the contol tower. 1-2 Minutes ‘The interception plan was set and the autopilot set tothe attude, speed, and course ofthe tr (get assigned by “Jagdschloss T-1 minute ‘The order “Achtung Eins” (one minute to take cof) was issued. The pit stated the pump for the hydrogen mixture, and the aircraft was Shrouded in a white cloud. The ground crew ‘made their way tothe contol bunker. Pump revo lutions were increase, and the order “Rentung ‘Star (stand by or takeot) was issued. 5 ‘The pilot placed his head on the neck support, grasped the contol sick, and pressed the take: (futon. The rest of the fight to @ height of 10,000 meters was completed automaticaly {As the alert 100k of under the power of the fourtakoot assist rockets, the T-Stoll and C-Stot ‘were injected under very high pressure into the ‘combustion chamber ofthe Walther rocket mo- 142 Seconds (One white and four yellow flames spurted from ‘he roar of tho aircraft. The machine moved up tho takeoff ramp under 5,700 kg of trust Telephone communication was Severed. Friction between the metal-covered wingtips and the ‘uide als produced sparks..he Natter was fy- ing! ‘The autoplot activated the guide vanes in the thrust nozzle to make course corrections +10 Seconds “The four Schmidsing rockets are jettisoned at a height of 200 meters. Their bum ime i ust 10 seconds, CGimbing almost vertically, the Nator leaves be- hind ita plume of violet smoke. At this time the pilots breathing pure oxypen andes the grow ing G-orces, 460 Seconds (Oneminute has passed. The aicrafthas reached ‘analttude of 10,000 meters and is approximately twa klometars from the enemy bombers. ‘The plot now assumes manual contol, the nose crops, and the alack begins in horizontal fight. 4+ 120 Seconds ‘The plot arms the wespons and selects one of tho bombers in his primtve sight. When the wingtips ofthe solectod target areraft touch the ‘aiming cco, the plot knows that he has reac ‘the optimal fring range of 600 meters. 7190 Seconds ‘The plot presses the release button on the con- tro sek, igniting the 24 rockets, The rockets leave the fing tubes, destroying the frangible plastic nose cap. The Hs 217 rockets have no tal ins and rly on their own rotation for stabil- zation, Accuracy isnot particularly good. T+ 150 Seconds ‘The Natier is now within range ofthe enemy's defensive weapons, however, the amor plat is ‘capable of withstanding projectiles upto 12.7 mm Caliber. In afew seconds the Natlers again out of range. ‘Ata aitude of 4,000 meters the pilot ds- connects his oxygen suppy. the controls, and ‘all mechanical and electrical inkages. He then Activates the braking parachute. Explosive Charges blow off the nose section with the Windscreen, the forward armor plate, and the rudder pedals. “The pilot lots himset fall rom the alrrat ‘and lands by parachute, ‘After landing, tho rear section is recovered ‘and eaveral weeks later can be used again. 1B‘Technical Data Bachem BP 20 6:23. ‘State of Development Manned research aircraft Constucton: Wood Propulsion One Walther HWK 108-509 A-1 rocket motor producing 1 600 kg of thrust. C-Sttt as fue, T-Stofl as igniter and a Iotuto of F-Stot and Z-Stot as energizer. Four Schmidding 109-533 soid‘uel rockets as takeof boosters, each producing 1000 kg of thrust Ful Tanks: ne 365-tor tank forT-Stofin the fuselage above the wing spar and a 165:ter tank forthe C-Stofl under the spat. ‘Armament None Length 626m Wingspan: 360m Wing area: 3em2 Height 252m Maximum speed: 11000 kph at 5.000m Takeoff weight: 2.065 kg (wth four Schmidding 533) Range: 1410.80 km CCiuising speed: 800 kph at 5 000 m Service coling: 16 000m Endurance: ‘Sminutes, ‘Technical Data Bachem Ba 349 A/A-1 State of Development Operational aircraft Construction Wood Propulsion (One Walther HWK 109-509 A-1 rockot motor producing 1 600 kg of thrust. C-Stott as fue, T-Stff as igniter and a ‘moduto of T-Stot and Z-Stot as energizer. Four Schmidding 109-533 solid-uel rockets as takealf boosters. each producing 1 000 kq of thrust Fuel Tanks: ‘One 365:ter tank for T-Sof in the fuselage above the wing spat and a 165-8ter tank for the C-Stoff under the spar. Armament (One aicrat was equipped withthe “Grosse Rohrbaltera 108" with 32 tubes housing 30-mm shel. Standard arma: ‘ment consisted of 24 He 217 "Fohn” 73-mm unguided airto-air rockets Wingspan: 60m(Az: 4m) Length: 40m Height 220m Wing area: 3.60 m2 (A-1: 4.70 m2) ‘Takeo weight: 2.050 kg Maximum speed: 1.000 kph at 5 000 m Cruising speed ‘300 kphat 000m Climo speed: 15 000 min 76 sec. Range: 4510 70km Endurance: 5.15 min Service calling 16 000m (Camb angle: 60 degroes ‘The Bachem Natter was by far the most advanced of al the rocket interceptor projects and was nearing the point of service introduction when the war ended. Here a photo of one of the many production sites, 4Artist's impression ofthe launch tower and the pllot-seat separation sequence, Natter aft section after separation of the nose and cockpit sections ‘nd return to earth by parachute.Install January 1945. Technical Data Bachem Ba 349 B/C ‘State of Development Construction: Propulsion: Fuel tanks: ‘Armament wingspan: Longin Heh Wig area “Takeo weigh: Maximum speed Cruising speed: Time to cmb: Endurance Service celing Range: Climb ange 16 Bi prototype C- indesign stage Wood ‘One Walther HWK 109-509 A-1 rocket motor producing 1 600 kg of {twust. CStof as ful, TStot as ig fier and a mixture ofT-Stof and Z Stat as energ.zer. Four Schmidding 109-533 solid uel rockets as take off boosters, each producing 1 000, kg of thrust ‘One 400:itor tank (450 tors in tho 'Ba 349.0) fr tho T-Stof inthe tus. lage above the wing spar and a 190: or tanks (250 liters in the Ba 349 ©) or the C-Stof under the spar “Thirty-two RAM 55-mm unguided ar tovai rockets, “Two MK 108 30-mm cannon be neath the plots seat, each with 30 rounds of ammunition, 20m 237m 47 m2 2270 kg (C: 2 050 ka) 4,000 kph at 5 000m 790 koh at 5 000 m {4 sooands to 15.000 motors 7.8 minutes (C:6.1 min) 16.000 m 50081 km (C: 41 to 73m) 60 degrees (C: 54 degrees) ion of the Rohebatterie 108 at the Heuberg troop training grounds. Firing tests with this system wore carried out from 23 to 27 Production Ba 349 A Nattor discovered by American forces inthe Alpine region of Germany. The aircraft is equipped with launch tubes for 28 Hs 217 alto-air rockets,4 Bachem Bas4oA‘The Focke-Wulf “Trebflage!” project was for an interceptor with turbojet-powered wing rotors. The wings rotated in a manner similar to the rotor blades of helicopters. The project was stn the development stage when the war ended. ‘The Heinkel “Lerche” ring-wing project also failed to proceed past the design study stage. In response to the RLM's call for a lors. Fortunately this company drawing has survived. In the 19608 this concept was investigated by the Dornier company using the Do 29, 30IePost-War Vertical-Takeoff Fighter Developments Lockheed XFV-1 Salmon Fairey Delta 1 Convair XFV-1 Pogo 'SNECMA C. 450.01 Coleopter yan X-13 Vertijet 33(Of te numerous Soviet rocket interceptor projects, only this example of the Bereznyak-Isaev BI-1 survives, in the Monino Museum in Moscow. ‘The Arado E 381 was supposed to ‘be caried into action beneath an Arado Ar 234 C jet bomber.‘with @ negatively-swept wing and was used for high-speed ith a neg 100 test lights. Itbroke the sound barrier. Although not an interceptor fighter, it did set theColor photographs of the two competing designs for an American vertical-takeot fighter, the Convair XFY-1 Pogo (eft) and the Lockheed XV. Salmon (right) ba is To date the X-15 represents the apex of rocket aircraft development, having achieved speeds on the order of Mach 6.7 4I mn l| ii 41314353 43-1435-1