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

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

Design

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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)

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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

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  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

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