Hi
I came across the following report. It finally explains where the prone Ho-X design sketch comes from:
Class number 629.13.014.48 (43) Horten
ROYAL AIRCRAFT ESTABLISHMENT, FARNBOROUGH
The Horten tailless aircraft
by
K.G. Wilkinson, B.Sc., D.I.O.
SUMMARY
R.A.E. Report No. F.A. 259/1
Toch. Note No. Aaro.1703
October, 1945
The sketch that we know
[ATTACH]719026[/ATTACH]
And what written about it:
3.12 Horten X
The H X wes a high speed arrow shaped flying wing (Fig. 20) inspired by Busemanns statement in 1936 of the beneficial effect of sweepback on delay of the shock stall. This apparently cheered up the Horten Brothers and gave them new proof that they were working on the right lines.
Initial work on the H X consisted of experiments with flying models of 10 ft. length weighing about 8-10 kg. From these they deduced the C.G. position needed for satisfactory flight with low aspect ratio and high sweepback, and found that they got good results with 4 dihedral and no fin area.
The next step was a man carrying glider model weighing 400 kg, with the overall dimensions of Fig. 25. The wing section was a symmetrical D.V.L. low drag type with maximum thickness at 45% 0. washout was 1.5°, dihedral 4°. Small Frise nose elevons were fitted but no flaps; a trimmed CL max of 0.8 was expected with a stalling incidence of 20° - 25°. Rudder control was to be by wing tip "trafficators.". The undercarriage was of tricycle layout giving zero ground incidence but clearance for a 150 nose up attitude at take-off; the front wheel was to be retractable but the rear wheels fixed.
Work on the glider H X was in progress at Hersfeld. When the writer visited the works on June 4th 1945 it was being used as an M.T. servicing depot and all aircraft components had been dumped in a basement. Only one wing rib and the main spar could be found. All drawings and calculations had gone.
Cheers
Kris
