P72001 BACHEM BA349A NATTER

The Bachem Ba 349 Natter (viper) was a German, experimental, rocket-powered interceptor from the World War II period, intended primarily for the defense of individual objects, such as airports, military bases, etc. It was assumed that it would be used in a similar way to unmanned ground rockets -air. The take-off took place from a vertical position, from a special launcher, thanks to which these planes did not need airfields. After take-off, the machine was most of the time controlled by ground crew via radio. The main purpose of the plane was to track down the enemy bomber and destroy it with missiles. After completing the task, the pilot and the main rocket engine were to land on the ground on separate parachutes, while the wooden hull was destroyed. Only one manned test flight was carried out: on March 1, 1945. It ended with the death of Lothar Sieber, the pilot of the machine. Technical data (presumptive): Maximum speed: 1000 km / h, speed of climb: 190 m / s, maximum ceiling 12000 m, maximum range: 60 km, armament: 24 73mm unguided rockets.