The desperate concept behind the Bachem Natter (Hummingbird) was
that young pilots with little or no training would be launched vertically
at US bomber formations and blow them apart with a powerful battery of
rockets. With no method of landing, the pilot would then bale out, he and
the rocket motor descending by parachute for further use (if either could be
found again). Several unmanned
launches were made and
reputedly five manned ones.
The first pilot was killed when
the canopy came off and struck
his head. The SS was more
enthusiastic about the idea than
the Luftwaffe and wanted 150
of the planned 200 Natters for
themselves. Only about 36 were
completed and 10 aircraft
actually readied for launch.
Fortunately for the pilots,
American tanks neared the
launch site and the aircraft were
destroyed.
FACTS AND FIGURES
© Erich Bachem had first proposed his rocket-powered interceptor in 1939, but received little official encouragement.
© For the first unpowered flight, the Natter was carried to 5500m beneath an He 111.
© Unmanned test launches were carried out with a dummy pilot in the cockpit.
© The improved Ba 349B had a rocket motor of increased endurance, but only three were produced before VE Day.
© In the combat zone the
streamlined nosecone would be
jettisoned and a battery of 24
unguided rockets exposed. After
they were fired, the entire nose
would be detached and the pilot
flung out by the deceleration from
the recovery parachute.
© The Natter was constructed mainly
of wood, using a furniture hinge
for the canopy - which broke off
on the first manned flight.
© The tail section containing
the valuable rocket motor
would descend by parachute
after use and be recovered
for another mission.
© The Natter had four booster
rocket motors for its launch and
was on autopilot until it reached
combat altitude. The sustainer
rocket was good for 70 seconds of
full thrust, but could be varied in
power to give longer endurance.
Bachem Ba 349 Natter on YOUTUBE
