by Adam Tooby (Illustrator), Adam Tooby (Illustrator), Robert Forsyth (Author)
The Bachem Ba 349 Natter was a secretive, vertical take-off, single-seat rocket interceptor intended to offer high-speed defence of key targets. This radical aircraft offered Luftwaffe an inexpensive means with which to intercept and attack Allied heavy bombers using a vertically-launched, semi-expendable machine built of wood and armed with a nose-mounted `honeycomb' battery of spin-stabilised air-to-air rockets as well as cannon armament. Launched vertically at 36,000ft per minute, the pilot was expected to fly within range of the enemy bombers, fire his rockets at them, ram another bomber, eject and parachute to the ground. Illustrated with contemporary photographs and stunning commissioned artwork, this study examines this inventive yet ultimately unsuccessful attempt by the Luftwaffe to defend against the tide of Allied aircraft that was bombing German cities into the ground.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 80
Edition: 1
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Published: 28 Jun 2018
ISBN 10: 1472820096
ISBN 13: 9781472820099
Book Overview: A fascinating look at Nazi Germany's radical development of a manned missile to shoot down Allied bombers.
Rare photos and well-written text make this book a good value for the reader. Additionally, aviation artist Adam Tooby delivers excellent digital artwork, from his dramatic cover illustration to a dynamic two-page cutaway showing the Natter's internal systems. In all, this book is a good read and quality product at a more-than-reasonable price. - Air Classics Magazine
. . . a remarkable book that should be popular with fans of rocket-planes, German experimental aircraft, and bizarre designs. Highly recommended. - The Kitmaker Network
Robert Forsyth provides a good introduction to the Bachem Ba 349 Natter with an easy to read style. I especially appreciated his use of first person accounts throughout the book as it puts the reader in the cockpit. - IPMS/USA