Bachem Ba 349 Natter cover

Description

The Bachem Ba 349 Natter was a secretive, vertical take-off, single-seat rocket interceptor intended to offer high-speed defense of key targets. This radical aircraft offered Luftwaffe an inexpensive means with which to intercept and attack Allied heavy bombers using a vertically-launched, semi-expendable machine built of wood and armed with a nose-mounted "honeycomb" battery of spin-stabilized air-to-air rockets, as well as cannon armament. Launched vertically at 36,000 feet per minute, the pilot was expected to fly within range of the enemy bombers, fire his rockets at them, ram another bomber, eject, and parachute to the ground.

Illustrated with contemporary photographs and stunning commissioned artwork, this study examines this inventive yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt by the Luftwaffe to defend against the tide of Allied aircraft that was bombing German cities into the ground.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Origins
Prototype Design
Test and Development
Influence on Frontline Types
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published Jun 19 2018
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472820099
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with around 50 photos and at least 5pp of colour artwork
Dimensions 10 x 7 inches
Series X-Planes
Short code XPL 8
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Robert Forsyth

Robert Forsyth is an author, editor and publisher,…

Illustrator

Adam Tooby

Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital…

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