Horten H.XIII

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H.XIII
Horton H.XIIIa
Role experimental glider
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Horten
Designer Walter and Reimar Horten
First flight 27 November 1944
Number built 1

The Horten H.XIII was an experimental flying wing aircraft designed by the Horten brothers during World War II.

Design[edit]

The H.XIIIa was an unpowered glider with wings swept backwards at 60°. It was a technology demonstrator to examine the low speed handling of highly swept wings, for the development of a jet fighter which was expected to exceed Mach 1, the H.XIIIb.[citation needed]

Specifications (H.XIIIa)[edit]

Data from Nurflügel[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 10 m (32 ft 10 in) nose to imaginary line between wing tips
  • Wingspan: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
  • Wing area: 36 m2 (390 sq ft)
  • Aspect ratio: 4.0
  • Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 330 kg (728 lb)

Performance

  • Stall speed: 44 km/h (27 mph, 24 kn)
  • Never exceed speed: 180 km/h (110 mph, 97 kn)
  • Landing speed: 44 km/h (27 mph; 24 kn)
  • Maximum glide ratio: 16:1 at 80 km/h (50 mph; 43 kn) and 9.2 kg/m2 (1.9 lb/sq ft)
  • Rate of sink: 1.1 m/s (220 ft/min) at 60 km/h (37 mph; 32 kn)
  • Wing loading: 9.2 kg/m2 (1.9 lb/sq ft)

References[edit]

  1. ^ Horten, Reimar; Peter F. Selinger (1985). Nurflügel (in German) (1st ed.). Graz: H. Wieshaupt Verlag. pp. 158–162. ISBN 978-3-900310-09-7.

Further reading[edit]

  • Rose, Bill (2010). Flying wings and tailless aircraft. Hinckley: Midland. pp. 50–51. ISBN 978-1-85780-320-4.