Bachem Natter reproduction

I would love to see an Arado 234 fly

You and me both! I finally built a model kit of one and was amazed at how small it actually is – about the length of a Mirage III! That, and/or the 162, could be fun candidates for reproduction. But that’s another thread!

DaveM2 – is the project linked to by the OP the “theoretically airworthy” example recently in CW?

Just noticed that you said Wanaka earlier, did they have one as well?
The Omaka one was intended to be raised to the vertical, but it was too windy.

Hmm, Omaka 2015’s theme is ‘ANZAC Pioneers’, maybe they are digging a mine, and then blowing it up! A great way to kick off the next stage of construction at Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre! 🙂

Anyway, that German project looks great.

I don’t get why the crowd is noticeably smaller on Sunday at Omaka, Sunday always has more explosions!
Here’s the Natter mock-up exploding
https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolg…57633072624417

Must be the Kiwi beer 😉
Looks like the extremely rare V1 Launched version of the Natter..The V2 explosion was soooo much better..Wonder where they got the Tiger tank from.Did it come with standardised breakdowns as well? 🙂

I don’t get why the crowd is noticeably smaller on Sunday at Omaka, Sunday always has more explosions!
Here’s the Natter mock-up exploding
https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/8608349533/in/set-72157633072624417

Wanaka had one at their airshow complete with launch pole then promptly blew it up..

Omaka, wait till you see what we have in the works for this years Classic Fighters 😉

I knew we could rely on u for a decent explanation, Michael!
Thanks!

IiRC it was a bit complicated and a political decision as well. Responsibility for the Natter project was transferred from Luftwaffe RLM to SS. Erich Bachem and his people did not think the Natter to be fit and ready for a manned flight. SS however wanted the first flight to be prior or on April 20., Hitlers birthday. Interestingly the pilot, Leutnant Siebert had no testpilott experience at all. He expected a court martial due to insubordience. SS approached him, saying he would avoid pünishment if he agreed to volunteer for testflying the Natter. As stated above in the description of the Natter’s instrumentation, an autopilot was installed, which flew the plane to a specified altitude. Leutnant Siebert however did not trust the autopilot, and ordered the autopilot to be disabled. After take off the Natter at some altitude went into the clouds, lost the canopy. When it reappeared, it went vertically into the ground with engine at full thrust. So it can be only a guess, why the accident happened. One explanation was,, that Siebert might have panicked, pulled the canopy release lever, lost his heading and ran right into the ground. Might be, might not, your guess is probably as good as mine….

Michael

Flying once and crashing once is not a good record for any prospective pilots!

I wonder was it a malfunction or bad design ?

Flying once and crashing once is not a good record for any prospective pilots!

I’d guess the Me 163 would be the better plane regarding performance. As both, the Natter and the Komet use the same dangerous Walter
rocketengine and fuels, it will be a dangerous experience. Though with the Natter you’d skip the dangers of take off and landing. IMHO insurance might be a slight problem as well, especially lifeinsurance.

Michael

Why bother with the engine………..

http://aviationtrivia.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/messerschmitt-me-163-komet-takes-to-air.html

A flyer would be quite a feat 😮 Any volunteers?
Bc
Thanks for posting, neat stuff

I’d guess the Me 163 would be the better plane regarding performance. As both, the Natter and the Komet use the same dangerous Walter
rocketengine and fuels, it will be a dangerous experience. Though with the Natter you’d skip the dangers of take off and landing. IMHO insurance might be a slight problem as well, especially lifeinsurance.

Michael

(statically)

A flyer would be quite a feat 😮 Any volunteers?

Thanks for posting, neat stuff

Wanaka had one at their airshow complete with launch pole then promptly blew it up..

I think this is the Natter is the one that was brought for display at Speyer Aeroboot several years in a row. It was up on the stage in the old hall for at least three years in succession – getting more detailed by the year.

Its amazing what’s being built. I would love to see an Arado 234 fly