in the closing stages of World War II this was one of
the X-type projects that the Germans tried. Constructed
of wood in 250 man-hours with unskilled labor, the Ba
349 Natter was designed to be launched vertically, when
enemy bomber formations were sighted in the area. Initial
gliding tests were done in 1944 by dropping the test aircraft
from a Heinkel He-111 bomber from 18,000 feet. The test
pilot attained a speed of 425 mph. Controllability was
excellent down to speeds of 125 mph. Roll and pitch control
was designed to be accomplished by use of the elevons
at the rear of the aircraft. As there was no landing gear
the pilot bailed out when the tests were complete
In a combat operation,
the liquid-fueled Walter rocket engine would first be
started. After checking that all was ready, the engine
was powered up and the aircraft was launched with the
lighting of the 4 external booster rockets. With only
4 minutes of fuel, the initial rate of climb was over
37,000 feet per minute! The pilot, experiencing a 2.2
“G” vertical acceleration, hung on while the
Natter was ground-guided until the external boosters burned
out and separated from the aircraft. At this point, the
streamlined nose cone would separate and the pilot would
then take over. His job was to line up as many bombers
as possible and launch the 24 rockets that were housed
in the nose of the aircraft.
After the first
unsuccessful launch, in which the pilot was killed, 3
successful manned flights were made in rapid succession.
Due to the desperate situation of the War the decision
was made to set them up for further operational testing.
About 36 Natters were completed with 10 being set up for
launch. Fortunately (for everyone!) they never saw combat,
for when Allied troops came close to the launching sites,
they were destroyed before they could be used or captured.
There is a completely original one on display at the National
Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
learn about the personal history of our very own Bachem
Natter - "Viper" as well as comments from Kermit
Weeks, please visit our beautiful art deco facility and