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Aviation1903
@aviation1903

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As what is likely a favourite of many, and probably the most unique on our list of early jet fighters, today we discuss the Horten Ho 229 flying wing. Designed during the later years of the war, the Ho 229 was the world's first jet powered flying wing, and was the result of a “3x1000” Requirement. This was the desire for a light bomber capable of carrying a 1,000kg payload a distance of 1,000 kilometers, at a speed of 1,000kph. Of course, that demanded the use of jet technology, that, while still in its infancy, was the only manner of propulsion capable of such speeds and range. The Horten Brothers, having experience with flying wing prototypes in the past, understood that a flying wing design would maximize lift, and minimize drag. That aerodynamic efficiency was the key factor behind the design, and its ability to reach the 3x1000 proposal.  While originally conceived as a high speed light bomber, the design showed promise as an all new type of fighter, and the addition of two 30mm cannons was ordered. Horten did not have the necessary production facilities, and manufacturing of the Ho 229 was handled by Gothaer Woggonfabrik (Gotha, for short). However, the arrangement was difficult, as Gotha tried to sideline the project in favour of their own in-house designs. This slowed the development.  The first flight of the Ho 229, an unpowered glider with a fixed tricycle gear configuration, took place on March 1st, 1944. Flight tests proved favourable, but the prototype was damaged in an accident upon landing, where the pilot forgot to retract an extended instrument probe. After the first test flight, all subsequent flights were conducted by Gotha pilots. The V3 prototype, and a few gliders, were captured by George Pattons army in 1945, and would be shipped to the US for evaluation. Today the V3 is the only surviving example of the aircraft #aviationhistory #aviation #av8ers #aviationgeek #wwiiaviation #coldwar #aviationlovers #planes #planesoffame #USAF #USAAF #avgeek #flight #airplane #aircraft #instaaviation #warbirds #warbird #aviation1903 #fighterpilot #militarypilot #airforcepilot #militaryaircraft