Gotha Go 229A-0: Resting places (XLIX).


Horten’s only surviving Gotha-built Ho IX at the Smithsonian Institution’s Paul E. Garber Restoration Facility a few years ago. The sorry looking V3 prototype is now at the Institution’s Steven F. Udvar Hazy Center (UHC) under restoration.

Out of this world subject and photo. Those fanciful swastikas were added postwar.

3 thoughts on “Gotha Go 229A-0: Resting places (XLIX).

  1. Radar simulations showed a hypothetical Ho-229, approaching the English coast from France flying at 550 mph and 49–98 Ft. above sea level, would have been visible to Chain Home radar frequencies at a distance of 80% of a Bf 109, implying a frontal Radar Cross Section of 40% of a Bf 109. Aviation Week & Space Technology reported the Ho-229 returned radar echo from the air intakes, nose and canopy.

  2. According to Russell Lee who wrote the most up to date book on the Horten Brothers, They never purposely built a stealth aircraft! The gliders were built out of non strategic materials, as were the jets, which happened along with the wing shape to aid in low radar signature. Walter just wanted a plane that would vanquish the Spitfires. Then they had to compete with the ME262 which had priorities on material. Still, the Reich waisted millions upon millions Reichsmark’s on these projects, saving countless Allied lives!

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