Horten Ho-229 Flying wing

Ho-229 illustration by Dragon Models

    After the success of the British De Havilland Mosquito, the Nazis weren't so content sitting idly. Herman Goering got so envious that he decided to one-up the English by developing one of the most technologically advanced aircraft to ever take to the skies! What resulted was an aircraft that looked more from science fiction than weapon from World War 2!

A Horten Flying Wing prototype being constructed

The jet powered Horten Ho 229 / Go-229 was developed by the Horten Brothers, who were renowned for designs of "flying wing" aircraft. So capable was this new aircraft design that it was said to be the only entry that could meet Herman Goering's demanding 3x1000 requirement. It was also to be constructed of wood Since by 1944 things weren't looking so good for the Nazis with the Allies advancing on all fronts and scarce resources.

The Hortens promised Herman Goering that their new fighter would deliver the decisive blow to the Allies with its unmatched speed and heavy armament. Weather in its fighter or ground-attack configurations, the Ho-229 could destroy targets with up to a ton of bombs and its 30mm heavy cannons. It was also said to have radar absorption properties that made it hard to detect due to its wooden airframe and radar absorbent paint.

The last remaining Horten Ho-229 flying wing owned by the Smithsonian Museum

Even if it was ahead of its time, lucky for the Allies the war was over before this wonderweapon could see active service. It was amazing how this sleek, wooden, jet-powered fighter managed to be controllable even before computers that stabilize today's flying wing aircraft like the B-2 Spirit. There were also supposed plans of making a strategic bomber version of it.

More Ho-229 photos