The C.E. Daniel Collection
| The Horten Flying Wing "Nurflügel" |
Reimar Horten and his brother Walter, two largely self-taught aircraft designers, were born in Bonn, Germany;
Walter was born on March 3, 1912 and Reimar on March 12, 1915. Their interest in aircraft began as early as 1925
when they joined a fliers club in Bonn. In 1932 Reimar and Walter commenced work on their first piloted all-wing
sailplane the Ho 1.
The basic concept of the flying wing dates from the dawn of aviation, but the Horten brothers became the
virtuosos of this aircraft.
The Horten all-wing sailplanes were gliders without a fuselage or tail section. The fuselage and the tail section of
a conventional plane produce 30% to 50% of an airplane's drag and generate no lift. The Horten-designed wing also
produced drag but, as the by-product of lift. This was crucial to the brothers as they did not want a single
aerodynamic surface on their wings that did not produce lift.
During the time preceding World War II, the brothers improved upon the Ho I glider, creating other models
including the Ho II, Ho III, and the Ho IV. Engines were added to the Ho II and Ho III models before World War II. Both
brothers joined the German army prior to the start of World War II.
Reimar and Walter then joined the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) during the course of the war where Walter flew
the Messerschmitt Bf -109 for six months and Reimar worked for Operation Sea Lion, whose objective was the
invasion of England. Upon the cancellation of this operation, the brothers were able to continue their projects,
developing many enhanced versions of their original flying-wing.
In 1942 Reimar began working on the Ho VII at the Luftwaffe’s request, a machine equipped with two pusher type
propellers. This model was an interim step to the Ho IX which Reimar also designed. Designated by the German Air
Ministry (RLM) as Ho 229, this type was the first functional jet-propelled flying wing.
The ending of the war in 1945 halted any further development of this aircraft. After the war, Reimar moved to
Argentina where he continued with his unorthodox aeronautical designs while Walter stayed in Germany. Reimar
died in 1993 while Walter died three years later in 1996.
Text above from National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C http://www.nasm.si.edu/search/search_result.cfm
Walter was born on March 3, 1912 and Reimar on March 12, 1915. Their interest in aircraft began as early as 1925
when they joined a fliers club in Bonn. In 1932 Reimar and Walter commenced work on their first piloted all-wing
sailplane the Ho 1.
The basic concept of the flying wing dates from the dawn of aviation, but the Horten brothers became the
virtuosos of this aircraft.
The Horten all-wing sailplanes were gliders without a fuselage or tail section. The fuselage and the tail section of
a conventional plane produce 30% to 50% of an airplane's drag and generate no lift. The Horten-designed wing also
produced drag but, as the by-product of lift. This was crucial to the brothers as they did not want a single
aerodynamic surface on their wings that did not produce lift.
During the time preceding World War II, the brothers improved upon the Ho I glider, creating other models
including the Ho II, Ho III, and the Ho IV. Engines were added to the Ho II and Ho III models before World War II. Both
brothers joined the German army prior to the start of World War II.
Reimar and Walter then joined the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) during the course of the war where Walter flew
the Messerschmitt Bf -109 for six months and Reimar worked for Operation Sea Lion, whose objective was the
invasion of England. Upon the cancellation of this operation, the brothers were able to continue their projects,
developing many enhanced versions of their original flying-wing.
In 1942 Reimar began working on the Ho VII at the Luftwaffe’s request, a machine equipped with two pusher type
propellers. This model was an interim step to the Ho IX which Reimar also designed. Designated by the German Air
Ministry (RLM) as Ho 229, this type was the first functional jet-propelled flying wing.
The ending of the war in 1945 halted any further development of this aircraft. After the war, Reimar moved to
Argentina where he continued with his unorthodox aeronautical designs while Walter stayed in Germany. Reimar
died in 1993 while Walter died three years later in 1996.
Text above from National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C http://www.nasm.si.edu/search/search_result.cfm
| Horten Flying Wing Photos in my collection |
Below are a grouping of photographs I recently obtained for addition to my permanent collection. All are original, WWII era,
pre-1945 photographs. The story behind these photographs is that they were taken from a German prisoner of war, captured by
the American Army at the end of the war in 1945. The name of both the POW and the American Army soldier who took these
photographs from the POW are lost to history. The person I obtained these photographs from had been given the photographs
many years ago by the American veteran who obtained them directly from the POW. After the American veteran had passed
away, the last owner decided to part with the photos. There were a number of other private WWII military related photographs
which came along with this grouping, but were not Horten Flying Wing related photos.
Some of the photographs appear to be press release photographs from the period, stamped in German on the reverse side
indicating, "All Rights Reserved." Others are actual, original snap shots, which were privately taken. Other photographs are
stamped in German on the reverse side, "For official use only." In addition to the photographic images, you can also see some
of the stamps found on the reverse sides of these photographs below.
If anyone has any additional information relating to these photographs, please feel free to contact me.
(Despite requests for others not to use photographs from my website without simply asking for permission, I have a number of the
private photographs on my website on other sites, being used without permission. One by one these sites are being addressed,
one way or another. For this reason, each of these photographs is marked with its origin. I generally cooperate with anyone
wanting to use photographs from my site, asking only that the origin of the photographs is identified, i.e. - The C.E. Daniel
Collection.)
pre-1945 photographs. The story behind these photographs is that they were taken from a German prisoner of war, captured by
the American Army at the end of the war in 1945. The name of both the POW and the American Army soldier who took these
photographs from the POW are lost to history. The person I obtained these photographs from had been given the photographs
many years ago by the American veteran who obtained them directly from the POW. After the American veteran had passed
away, the last owner decided to part with the photos. There were a number of other private WWII military related photographs
which came along with this grouping, but were not Horten Flying Wing related photos.
Some of the photographs appear to be press release photographs from the period, stamped in German on the reverse side
indicating, "All Rights Reserved." Others are actual, original snap shots, which were privately taken. Other photographs are
stamped in German on the reverse side, "For official use only." In addition to the photographic images, you can also see some
of the stamps found on the reverse sides of these photographs below.
If anyone has any additional information relating to these photographs, please feel free to contact me.
(Despite requests for others not to use photographs from my website without simply asking for permission, I have a number of the
private photographs on my website on other sites, being used without permission. One by one these sites are being addressed,
one way or another. For this reason, each of these photographs is marked with its origin. I generally cooperate with anyone
wanting to use photographs from my site, asking only that the origin of the photographs is identified, i.e. - The C.E. Daniel
Collection.)
An archive photograph showing Walter Horten and one of
his flying wings. Walter is shown wearing a smart looking
Luftwaffe uniform with a standard Luftwaffe overcoat and
dress gloves.
his flying wings. Walter is shown wearing a smart looking
Luftwaffe uniform with a standard Luftwaffe overcoat and
dress gloves.
Above: An archive photograph
showning Reimar Horten. Clearly
seen in the photograph is
Reimer's Luftwaffe pilots badge,
visible on the left breast of his
tunic, just above his left arm.
showning Reimar Horten. Clearly
seen in the photograph is
Reimer's Luftwaffe pilots badge,
visible on the left breast of his
tunic, just above his left arm.
A gorgeous private photograph of a Horten
Ho V c.
Ho V c.
Right: This postcard sized original photograph
shows two German sailplanes/gliders in flight with
an unidentified flying wing.
shows two German sailplanes/gliders in flight with
an unidentified flying wing.
Above/Left/Below: Three photographs showing a Horten
IV flying wing, disassembled and loaded into its specialized
transport trailer. The three photographs show various
angles, illustrating the way the center fuselage and the
wings would be transported after disassembly. The
photograph below shows up-close detail of a label which
appears in the lower right corner of each of the three
photographs.
IV flying wing, disassembled and loaded into its specialized
transport trailer. The three photographs show various
angles, illustrating the way the center fuselage and the
wings would be transported after disassembly. The
photograph below shows up-close detail of a label which
appears in the lower right corner of each of the three
photographs.
Above: Two views of Horten model Ho III, showing the registration number of D-11-187. The
photograph on the right appears to show the aircraft being pushed away from the flight line, while the
photograph on the left shows the aircraft being pushed into position, most likely for take-off, given the
open field ahead.
photograph on the right appears to show the aircraft being pushed away from the flight line, while the
photograph on the left shows the aircraft being pushed into position, most likely for take-off, given the
open field ahead.
Left: A view of Horten model Ho III, with the
registration number of D-12-347. Much like the
Ho III shown in the photographs above, this
Horten aircraft bears the standard German
aircraft registration number, along with the
national markings of the time period. To the left
the tail of a sailplane/glider with period national
markings can be seen.
This Horten Ho III was flown by pilot Werner
Blech in the 1938 Rhön contest. On August 5,
1938, Blech reached an altitude of 6380 meters
in a heavy thunderstorm. The next day, again
flying in a thunderstorm, the aircraft was
severely damaged by hail. Blech elected to
jump from the aircraft and parachute to safety.
Bleck was found dead, his parachute deployed
but his neck was broken. It is unknown if he
died as a result of the landing or during the jump
from the aircraft. An examination of the
barograph in the aircraft wreckage showed an
altitude of 8000 meters!
registration number of D-12-347. Much like the
Ho III shown in the photographs above, this
Horten aircraft bears the standard German
aircraft registration number, along with the
national markings of the time period. To the left
the tail of a sailplane/glider with period national
markings can be seen.
This Horten Ho III was flown by pilot Werner
Blech in the 1938 Rhön contest. On August 5,
1938, Blech reached an altitude of 6380 meters
in a heavy thunderstorm. The next day, again
flying in a thunderstorm, the aircraft was
severely damaged by hail. Blech elected to
jump from the aircraft and parachute to safety.
Bleck was found dead, his parachute deployed
but his neck was broken. It is unknown if he
died as a result of the landing or during the jump
from the aircraft. An examination of the
barograph in the aircraft wreckage showed an
altitude of 8000 meters!
Above: Two more views of a Horten Ho II. The photograph on the left appears to show the Ho II on landing, as no tow
rope can be seen. The photograph on the right shows crews pushing the aircraft into position.
rope can be seen. The photograph on the right shows crews pushing the aircraft into position.
A terrific photograph showing a Horten Ho V c in flight.
Left: A close-up front view of the cockpit of
what appears to be an Horten Ho II. This
photograph would most likely have been
taken later than the photographs above due
to the camouflage paint scheme appearing
on the aircraft. Initial plans for this model of
aircraft included transporting ammunition and
other supplies to England following the
planned German invasion, following
Operation Sea Lion.
what appears to be an Horten Ho II. This
photograph would most likely have been
taken later than the photographs above due
to the camouflage paint scheme appearing
on the aircraft. Initial plans for this model of
aircraft included transporting ammunition and
other supplies to England following the
planned German invasion, following
Operation Sea Lion.
Above: Two photographs showing one of only four Horten IV models ever built, showing registration number D-10-1359.
Above: Two photographs showing the Horten XIIIa in flight.
PAGE STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Above: A close-up view of the pusher propeller of a Horten IIm "Habicht".
Above: A Horten Ho VII in flight.
| To learn more about the German Flying Wings of the 1930's and 1940's, visit www.nurflugel.com |
Special Note: Thank you once again to Peter Ocker for his assistance in helping to provide detailed
information concerning the aircraft shown in the photographs on this webpage. Peter's help is
invaluable and always an asset to the website and my collection.
information concerning the aircraft shown in the photographs on this webpage. Peter's help is
invaluable and always an asset to the website and my collection.
Above: An inverted, close-up view of the writing on
the spinner in the photograph to the left. Unless I am
incorrect, the phrase on the spinner translates to "Do
Not Touch."
the spinner in the photograph to the left. Unless I am
incorrect, the phrase on the spinner translates to "Do
Not Touch."
Right: A photograph showing the Horten H
XIIIa after a landing accident. The aircraft
landed "long" and did not come to a stop
before colliding with a fence located at the
end of the airfield.
XIIIa after a landing accident. The aircraft
landed "long" and did not come to a stop
before colliding with a fence located at the
end of the airfield.
Left: A close-up of the front of a Horten H Vc,
shown with its military style applied paint scheme.
shown with its military style applied paint scheme.
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