German Secret Projects Volume 7

Heinkel P1079A Nightfighter
In 1945 the Heinkel design team, under Seigfried Gunter, produced the P1079 concept, internally known as the Zerstorer. It quickly became a firm favourite project of Ernst Heinkel, undergoing continual development.

In its final form it resembled the post-war Supermarine 508 except for having swept wings. It would have proved a remarkable weapon against Allied aircraft if it had made production.

Heinkel P1080 Ramjet Fighter
In early 1945 the German Air Ministry ordered Heinkel AG to design a twin ramjet fighter resulting in the P1080 project. Not unlike the later Gloster Javelin in layout the P1080 had two DFS ramjets housed either side of the fuselage with the wings rooted from them. A solid fuel rocket motor was installed in the extreme rear of the fuselage for initial power to achieve the ramjet operating speed. It is questionable a to why the RLM had requested this design when they did, as much research had already been spent on ramjet aircraft with no ideal solution.

Horten 13B Fighter
The Horten brothers produced this arrow shaped delta wing concept in 1944 under extreme secrecy with speeds in excess of the sound barrier hoped for by using the BMW 003R turbojet should it be completed. Although there is now much doubt this engine would have provided enough power for this to have been achieved.

Henschel Hs132 Prone Pilot Dive Bomber
By many accounts the Henschel 132 very nearly made at least prototype production. The design was for a replacement for the greatly out-of-date Junkers Ju87 stuka dive bomber and ground attack aircraft.

The design mounted the engine ‘piggy-back’ style and had the unusual feature of a prone pilot position. In May 1945 Soviet forces over-ran the Henschel’s Schonefeld establishment in the Berlin suburbs, to find many completed components for the first prototype (V1) although no wings had been attached. Work had progressed but slowly with some problems concerning the cockpit arrangement. It is not known if and when the first prototype ever was completely assembled and a maiden flight date made. The Soviets also found V2 and V3 in various stages of completion. All at Henschel’s Flugzeugwerke was dismantled and shipped to the Soviet Union. There is a very famous picture that at one time was believed to be of the completed prototype, but it was found to be a airbrush impression by artist Gert Heumann.