What You Need to Know: Horten Ho 229, II. It was a German prototype fighter-bomber developed during World War II and is often considered the world’s first stealth fighter due to its flying wing design that reduced radar detection.

– Designed by brothers Walter and Reimar Horten and built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik, it was the first flying wing powered by jet engines. The Ho 229 had two turbojet engines with a top speed of 977 km/h (607 mph) and was armed with two 30 mm guns.

-Only three prototypes were built, and the program ended after a fatal accident in 1945. A surviving example is on display at the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia.

Horten Ho 229 – The World’s First Secret Warrior?

With railway modeling enthusiastsThe term “HO” refers to the most popular model railway scale in the world. However, in the context of military aviation history, “HO” has a much different meaning. Call the Horten Ho 229, AKA the H.IX or Gotha Go 229 prototype fighter-bomber the Guten Tag.

If operational, the Ho 229 would have joined the ranks of the Luftwaffe in World War II, along with the so-called Wunderwaffen (Wonder Weapons) of Nazi Germany: Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (Swallow), the world’s first operational jet fighter; the Messerschmitt Me 163 comet (Comet), the world’s first operational rocket-powered fighter aircraft; And Arado Ar 234 Lightening (Yıldırım), the world’s first operational jet bomber. Some might argue that it is Ho 229 and not Ho 229. Lockheed F-117 Night FalconHe was the world’s first stealth warrior, a claim that is highly controversial and should be treated with caution.

Ho 229 Early History and Features

Designed by Horten brothersThe Ho 229, built by Walter and Reimar and manufactured by Gothaer Waggonfabrik (GWF), made its first flight in glider form on 1 March 1944; The first true jet-powered version flew on 2 February 1945. It was the first flying wing aircraft powered by jet engines.

The Warbird, more specifically the H0 229A variant, had the following specifications and vital statistics:

Hull Length: 7.47 meters (24.5 feet)

Wingspan: 16.76 meters (fifty-five feet)

Height: 2.81 meters (nine feet and three inches)

Maximum Takeoff Weight: 8,100 kg (17,900 lb)

Powerplant: two Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet engines, 8.83 kN (1,990 lbs) thrust each

Maximum Air Speed: 977 km/h (607 mph; 528 kn)

Combat range: 1,900 km (1,200 mi, 1,000 mi)

Armament: 2x 30 mm (1.181 in) MK 108 cannon

The cannons contrast sharply with the F-117, dubbed the “Stealth Fighter” and its flying wing style. Northrop B-2 Spirit The last two are “Stealth Bomber” unless they carry air-to-air munitions.

Also, as my colleague noted Sebastien RoblinThe warbird even had a primitive ejection seat and a parachute parachute that could be deployed during landing.

A total of three airframes were built.

Operational History

So, aside from its passing resemblance to the B-2 Spirit, why do some armchair historians consider the Ho 229 to be the first stealth fighter? as BBC Future correspondent Stephen Dowling explains“The (A) design eliminates the traditional tail fin at the rear. This design helps reduce the size of the aircraft and creates a more uniform shape; “This way, radar signals sent to detect the plane are less likely to bounce back.”

OK, so what went wrong with this? Hello 229?

Simply put, the X.IX V2, the only truly powered example, unlike the glider version mentioned in the previous section, crashed on its third flight on 18 February 1945, killing the test pilot, Lieutenant Erwin Ziller. Some predictions were clearly visible during the aircraft’s second flight, which included a forced landing that required extensive repairs… Approximately 100 production aircraft had been ordered, but the fatal accident caused this commercial operation to be abruptly cancelled.”

Where Are They Now?

If you live “inside the Documentary Trail,” i.e. the Washington DC area, or are planning to visit the nation’s capital as a tourist soon, you’re in luck; The history of one of three Ho 229s has been preserved for future generations and is currently on display. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum‘s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia.

A stone’s throw away Washington Dulles International Airport and a tour I can take personally vouch for from multiple visits.

About the Author

Christian D. Orr He is Senior Defense EditorNational Security Journal(NSJ). He is a former Air Force Security Forces officer, Federal law enforcement officer, and private military contractor (he served in Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kosovo, Japan, Germany, and the Pentagon). Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of Southern California (USC) and a master’s degree in Intelligence Studies (terrorism Studies concentration) from American Military University (AMU). It was also publishedDaily Torch,Intelligence and Cyber ​​Security MagazineAndSimple Flight. Last but not least he is a Companion of the Order.Order of the Navy of the United States (NOUS).

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