The Horten H.IX, RLM designation Ho 229 (often called Gotha Go 229 because of the identity of the chosen manufacturer of the aircraft) was a German prototype fighter/bomber designed by Reimar and Walter Horten and built by Gothaer Waggonfabrik late in World War II. It was the first pure flying wing powered by jet engines.

The design was a response to Hermann Gring's call for light bomber designs capable of meeting the "31000" requirement; namely to carry 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) of bombs a distance of 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) with a speed of 1,000 kilometres per hour (620 mph). Only jets could provide the speed, but these were extremely fuel hungry so considerable effort had to be made to meet the range requirement. Based on a flying wing, the Ho 229 lacked all extraneous control surfaces, lowering drag. It was the only design to come even close to the 31000 requirements, and received Gring's approval. Its ceiling was 15,000 metres (49,000 ft).

Since the appearance of the B-2 Spirit flying wing stealth bomber in the 1990s, its similarities in role and shape to the Ho 229 has led many to retrospectively describe the Ho 229 as "the first stealth bomber". A static reproduction of the only surviving Ho 229 prototype, the Ho 229 V3, in American hands since the end of World War II was later tested by the U.S. military who found the basic shape, paint and laminating adhesive composition of the mockup copy would provide for 37% reduction in detection range against the British Chain Home radar of the 1940s, but no significant stealth benefit against most other contemporary radar systems.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a German Horten Ho 229 fighter-bomber that currently hangs in the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, National Air and Space Museum, in Washington D.C.. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-1/4-inches
Length: 4-inches

Release Date: July 2023

Historical Account: "On Display" - The Horten Ho 229 V3 is the only extant example of the world's first all-wing jet aircraft. Built in Germany during World War II, the Horten Ho 229 promised spectacular performance. The German air force (Luftwaffe) chief, Hermann Goring, allocated half-a-million Reich Marks to the brothers Reimar and Walter Horten to build and fly several prototypes. Numerous technical problems beset this unique design and the only powered example crashed after several test flights. Despite this, the airplane remains one of the most unusual combat aircraft tested during World War II.

The U. S. Army found the Ho 229 prototypes V3 through V6 at Friedrichroda, Germany, in April 1945. The V3 (also referred to as Horten IX V3) was approximately half finished and nearest to completion of the four airframes. Army personnel removed it three days later and shipped it from Germany to the U.S. The aircraft arrived at what is now the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland, around 1950.

The Horten Ho 229 V3 is currently visible to the public inside the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, while staff work to document the aircraft's condition and stabilize its delicate structure.

This research was funded in part by a grant from the Smithsonian Scholarly Studies Program. We would also like to thank Emil Buehler Perpetual Trust; Ellen Nagy of Georgia Pacific Chemicals; Larry Osborn of the Appalachian Hardwood Center; and Terry Connors of the University of Kentucky. Staff at the Smithsonian's Museum Conservation Institute who have contributed to this research include Odile Madden, Nicole Little, and Jennifer Giaccai.