Horten H.IV

Horten H.IV
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Horten H.IV in the Deutsches Museum at Schleissheim, Munich
Role	Glider
Manufacturer	Horten
Designer	Reimar and Walter Horten
Number built	4

The Horten H.IV was a German tailless flying wing glider in which the pilot lay in a prone position to reduce the frontal area, and hence drag. It was designed by Reimar and Walter Horten in Göttingen. Four were built between 1941 and 1943. They were flown in a number of unofficial competitions in Germany during World War II. After the war the flying examples were transported to the United Kingdom and the United States where several contest successes were achieved.

Specifications

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 3.81 m (12 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 20.3 m (66 ft 7 in)
• Wing area: 18.9 m² (203 sq ft)
• Aspect ratio: 21.8
• Empty weight: 250 kg (551 lb)
• Gross weight: 330 kg (728 lb)
  
• Aerofoil thickness: 16%
• Sweepback at LE: 20 degrees

Performance

• Never exceed speed: 200 km/h (124 mph; 108 kn)
• Maximum glide ratio: 32 at 73 km/h (45 mph) and 17.5 kg/m² (3.6 lb/sq ft)
• Rate of sink: 0.5 m/s (98 ft/min) at 60 km/h (37 mph) and 17.5 kg/m² (3.6 lb/sq ft)
• Wing loading: 17.5 kg/m² (3.6 lb/sq ft)
  
• Towing speed: 55 km/h (34 mph)
• Landing speed: 55 km/h (34 mph)

See also

Related development

• Horten H.III

Related lists

• List of gliders