The Horten Ho IX / Ho 229, A Technical Guide, by Richard A. Franks, Airframe Detail No.8 (Valiant Wings 2020)
Developed from an advanced (flying wing) glider design by the Horten brothers in the interwar period in Germany, the Ho 229 (later named Gotha Go 229 when prepared for mass production) was a Luftwaffe prototype fighter/bomber, practically the first flying wing powered by two jet engines (same Junkers Jumo 004, as those on Me262 & Ar234)
The design was a response to Hermann Göring's call for light bomber designs capable of meeting the "3×1000" requirement; namely to carry 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lb) of bombs a distance of 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) with a speed of 1,000 kilometres per hour (620 mph).
The prototype first flew in March 1944 but only two additional machines were built before the end of the War. Later American aircraft designs were inspired by such advanced german prototypes, which were transported to the States for further study. Northrop Grumman later tests revealed that the Ho 229 had a frontal RCS (Radar Cross Section) of only 40% of a Bf109G during radar simulations, confiming rumours about the first Stealth fighter in History, but not some data about the “stealthy” wooden structure and special carbon glue used.
As we have come to expect from Valiant Wings, this is a well-bound A4 book of 66 quality glossy pages in a gloss card cover. All illustrations are beautifully reproduced with informative captions and these will be an essential companion for everyone tackling the Zoukei – Mura 1/144, 1/72, 1/48 or 1/32nd scale kits, the older Dragon 1/48th example or even the venerable PM 1/72nd version.
The 12 page Introduction covers the historical development of the type, including many photos of the prototypes and an image the German test pilot who was killed when the second prototype crashed in 1945.
Section 1 is the Technical Description and includes a wealth of excellent images, mainly of the V3 which was captured in 1945 and is now at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Dulles. These cover: Cockpit, Interior and canopy, Centre section and engines, Undercarriage, Wings, Armament, Sighting and radios.
As the Ho 229 never entered series production it was impossible for the author and the publishers to find suitable artwork from official flight manuals and similar publications. However this section is really impressive with many detailed photos (many in color!) and from many different angles of the interior parts. Some images are from contemporary sources, taken by US troops in Germany where the machine was found in 1945. Some photos illustrate the bad state of some parts of the airframe after more than 60 years of neglect, and the huge task of restoration ahead of this machine (the V3 prototype), hopefully to be finally exhibited in National Air & Space Museum, Washington DC in the future.
Section 2 covers camouflage and markings. Given that the aircraft never entered service and the V3 was never painted with a camouflage, a number of “what-if” schemes are illustrated in colour. These profiles have been created by Richard Caruana and will give the modeller plenty of encouragement to produce something different. Of particular interest are the North African/Middle East and Night Fighter (with radar antenna) schemes.
Section 3 (Small Scale Horten) is a kit build by Libor Jekl of the very detailed and impressive Zoukei-Mura 1/72 kit (7 pages with many WIP photos).
Appendix I covers all the kits available in the major scales from 1/144 to 1/32.
Appendix II covers the mass of accessories for the kits in the first appendix, whilst Appendix III is an extensive list of references/bibliography and relevant magazine articles.
This is a comprehensive reference for both the modeller and the aviation historian interested in this important and historical aircraft.
Highly recommended! It retails at only 13.95 GBP + postage and you can order it here.
