Bachem Ba 349 Natter (Adder/Viper)

Bachem Ba 349 Natter (Natter/Viper) History

The Bachem Ba 349 Natter (translated as "Adder", although also called "Viper") was one of the postwar German aircraft programs designed to change the balance of Allied air campaigns in favor of the Reich. Developed in the last years of the war, the Natter was initially rejected by the German Ministry of Aviation, eventually building between 20 and 30 more usable examples.

However, even before a unit was in a state of fury, Nat's starting position was occupied by advancing U.S. Army personnel, officially linking another Luftwaffe "secret weapon" to the pages of history, and nothing more.

Due to its design, the Nat is little more than a manned missile, although its launch and cockpit facilities can be reused after salvage - its missile weapon payload is consumed during the attack phase.

The air superiority of the Luftwaffe, which had largely controlled the skies of World War II before 1943, was now challenged to such an extent that the Luftwaffe sought to prevent the devastating effects of the relentless Allied bombing campaign. The campaign focused primarily on the use of American heavy bombers by day and British heavy bombers by night, and delivered a powerful, uninterrupted double strike against German assets.

Allied bombers proved so harmful to the German military that it began to prioritize the production and development of fighter jets purely for self-defense to protect its airfields, oil reserves, factories, depots, bridges and strategic towns. To In 1944, the situation became increasingly dire as targets within Germany were frequently attacked.

As a result, a certain level of self-evident desperation began to subside, and the Luftwaffe began to consider many different approaches to the Allied bombing campaign.

The

Natter conducted high-altitude tests in October 1944, and its controls proved adequate for the mission. By December 1944, the Natter project had progressed with the introduction of a new model with fixed undercarriage - the Ba 349-M. This is primarily used to formally evaluate Natter's flight controls when connected to a "mothership" (in this case the ubiquitous Heinkel He 111 medium bomber), as Natter can now land "safely" after controlled trials.

In March 1945, the situation throughout the German Empire was devastating. Still, a variety of unorthodox developments, including jets, flying wings, rocket fighters, missiles and giant tanks, remain in the spotlight.

March was also the first manned test flight of the Ba 349, controlled by pilot Lothar Siebert. The adder rose from the vertical launch orbit as expected, but below 1,700 feet the canopy was lost. The plane then went into a pseudo-loop that ended up crashing directly into the ground, killing both the plane and the pilot.

The cause of the crash is believed to be a defective canopy, but the plan continues. However, the adder was successfully tested under human control in the ensuing weeksat least three such cases were recorded.

The FAA was "very pleased" with the outcome of the Natter development program, so much so that the aircraft was cleared for official operation. The series will be produced in two different forms, each notable for its main rocket motor - the Ba 349A will be fitted with a single-chamber HWK 509A-1 series, while the Ba 349B will be fitted with a dual-chamber HWK 509C-1 mounted-rear This gives the adder more flight time.

In April 1945, Bachemwerke produced approximately 20 to 36 Natters for operational service (sources vary by total). However, April was also a gloomy month for the German Empire, as in addition to increasing casualties on all major fronts, Fuhrer Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker in Berlin as Soviet troops approached. Several German leaders have apparently called for a favorable armistice with Britain and the United States, as these enemy forces steadilysometimes undisturbedinvade German territory. In Kirchheim, Germany, at least 10 "Nats" were organized and ready to attack. However, U.S.

Army units spread throughout the area and completely captured the positions before their German administrators were able to destroy them - ending the "wrath" of the mighty German Viper.

Surprisingly, two complete species of venomous snakes are known. One is on display at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, and the other is in the collection of the National Air and Space Museum in Silver Hill, Maryland.

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