All told, the Natter weighed in at nearly 5,000lbs. The aircraft's wingspan measured in at just over 13 feet with a running fuselage length of nearly 20 feet. When in profile, the Natter measured a height of 7.5 feet. At the time of launch, the airframe could hit speeds of approximately 620 miles per hour and climb an astounding 37,400 feet per minute. Its operational radius was a limited 12 miles while its service ceiling was 33,300 feet - well within the operational altitude of Allied bombers. The Natter could clock that altitude in just 60 seconds. Total endurance in a typical flight was just 4.6 minutes to 30,000 feet which made every second, literally, count for the Natter pilot. Beyond the 24 x 2.87" rocket armament, the Natter was - at one point - considered for 2 x 30mm MK 108 series heavy autocannons as well.
To maintain the vertical nature of the launch phase the aircraft would be rested on its tail and set up against an 80 foot vertically-set launching ramp. Initial flight control would be accomplished by autopilot via a radio-radar linkage arrangement to which the pilot would then be given control of the aircraft once it was within 5,000 feet of the intended targets. From there, the pilot could guide his aircraft via traditional flight controls at an enemy bomber (large targets by their very nature) and avoid enemy machine gun fire with his relatively small aircraft. Upon initiating the "attack" phase, the nose assembly would jettison its plastic cover cap and expose the 24 x 2.87" Fohn unguided rockets within. At this point, the pilot would fire all 24 rockets in a single ferocious salvo. The next step involved manually disengaging the empennage and its valuable booster rocket section. The canopy was then jettisoned and the pilot bailed out (under 150 miles per hour) in a conventional manner. Both the remaining rear fuselage section and pilot glided back to earth under deployed parachutes to be recovered/reused another day. If the rocket launching facilities failed at some point, the pilot could also consider ramming the aircraft nose into the enemy, of course he bailing out before the moment of impact.
The Natter undertook gliding trials in October of 1944 and the controls proved adequate for the task. In December of 1944, the Natter project had evolved to the point that a new model version - the Ba 349-M - was unveiled with a fixed undercarriage. This was primarily utilized to formally evaluate the in-flight controls of the Natter when tethered to a "mothership" host - in this case, the ubiquitous Heinkel He 111 medium bomber - as the Natter could now be landed "safely" behind the aircraft in controlled tests. In March of 1945, the situation across the German Reich was dire. Nevertheless, attention was still being paid to unorthodox developments of many kinds including jet-powered aircraft, flying wings, rocket fighters, guided missiles and mega- tanks.
March also marked the first manned test flight of a Ba 349 with pilot Lothar Siebert at the controls. The Natter rose from its vertical launch rail as intended but, under 1,700 feet, the canopy was lost. The aircraft then went into a pseudo-loop and ultimately drove straight into the ground, resulting in a total loss of both aircraft and pilot. The cause of the crash was believed to be a faulty canopy fitting and the program resumed nonetheless. The Natter was, however, successfully tested in later weeks under manned control - at least three such instances were recorded. The German Air Ministry was "satisfied enough" with the results of the Natter development program that it deemed the aircraft cleared for formal operations. The series would be produced in two distinct forms, each differentiated by their main rocket propulsion - the Ba 349A was to be completed with the single-chambered HWK 509A-1 series whilst the Ba 349B would have the dual-chambered HWK 509C-1 installed - the latter affording the Natter more flight time.
In April of 1945, Bachemwerkes had produced approximately 20 to 36 Natters for operational service (sources vary on the total). However, April also proved a dismal month for the German Reich for, aside from mounting losses across every major front, leader Adolf Hitler had committed suicide in his underground bunker in Berlin as Soviet Army forces approached. Several German leaders were clearly clamoring for a favorable cease fire with the British and Americans while these enemy forces made steady - sometimes unmolested gains - into German territory. In the German town of Kirchheim, at least ten Natters were setup and presumably poised to strike. However, American Army forces spread through the area and captured these positions in full before their German caretakers could destroy them - bringing an end to the "wrath" of the mighty German Viper.
Amazingly, two complete Natters are known to exist total. One is showcased at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany while the other is a part of the collection at the National Air & Space Museum at Silver Hill, Maryland.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.