Bachem Ba Natter
The "Natter" (lit. viper) was the first vertical take-off aircraft with rocket engine. Development work on the Ba 349 began at the end of 1944. The airframe was made of wood in order to save on aluminum. Like the Me 163, it was powered by a Walter HWK 509 engine that was supported on launch by four solid-fuel rockets.
The Ba 349 was to be able to take-off vertically and climb at high speed to attack altitude. After attacking enemy bombers, the pilot was to eject and parachute to the ground. Before ejecting, he was supposed to jettison the engine which was also to fall to the ground by parachute for reuse.
The Ba 349 was never deployed. In spring 1945, the only manned launch ended in a crash and the death of the pilot Lothar Siebert.
The Ba 349 was to be able to take-off vertically and climb at high speed to attack altitude. After attacking enemy bombers, the pilot was to eject and parachute to the ground. Before ejecting, he was supposed to jettison the engine which was also to fall to the ground by parachute for reuse.
The Ba 349 was never deployed. In spring 1945, the only manned launch ended in a crash and the death of the pilot Lothar Siebert.