Nat Geo Special Examines WWII Horten Brothers Flying Wing - Sunday 6-28-09 9PM

National geographic special program airs Sunday, June 28 at 9PM

Nat Geo website with extensive info on this amazing aircraft from WWII

Full scale replica built by Northrop Grumman to test radar signature

All photos: National Geographic Channel

 If you know much about WWII German aircraft technology, you probably already know that they were pushing the design envelope in ways that are truly hard to believe.  I know I never get tired at looking into the minds of the people that came up with so many amazing aerodynamic ideas.

 On Sunday, June 28, the National Geographic Channel will air a special program that looks in-depth at the design of the Horten Ho 2-29 flying wing.  This aircraft is quite possibly the most extreme example (that actually flew) of the amazing aviation thinking that the German engineers had near the end of the war.

 BTW, this is just the kind of TV programming aviation people need to support... you can do that by simply watching and enjoying, so don't miss it!

 The Ho 2-29 design that brothers Reimar and Walter Horten came up with was not only a quantum leap in aerodynamics, but also appears to have stealth technology incorporated into both the shape, and the use of wood on the skin.

 This interesting and well produced Nat Geo special explores the possible stealth nature of the aircraft with, of all people, Northrop Grumman!  They actually built a full scale model of the beautiful flying wing to test it's radar signature on a 50' articulating pole.

 It's fascinating to see the American company that built flying wings in the 40's, and then built the B-2 Stealth Bomber in the 80's, as they marvel at the amazing design of the Horten brothers flying wing.  Be sure to catch this program, you're gonna like it.