Horten H.IV
Horten · Germany · first flew 1941 · glider
The Horten H.IV was a high-performance German flying-wing glider developed by the Horten brothers during the Second World War. It achieved an exceptionally high glide ratio and demonstrated the aerodynamic potential of the tailless all-wing configuration.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Pure flying wing with no fuselage or tail |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Pure flying wing with no fuselage or tail
- High-performance WWII German glider by the Horten brothers
A pure flying wing with no fuselage extension or tail surfaces, a very high-aspect-ratio swept planform, and a prone-pilot cockpit blended into the leading edge — instantly identifiable as a Horten design.
Specifications
- The Horten H.IV has a length of 3.81 m (12 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 20.3 m (67 ft).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The H.IV first flew in 1941 and demonstrated outstanding soaring performance with a glide ratio reported around 1:40. The brothers Reimar and Walter Horten used their glider programme to explore flying-wing aerodynamics that would inform their later jet-powered designs, including the Ho 229.
Variants
The H.IV was built in a small number of examples; no powered variants were produced, though the knowledge gained fed directly into the Ho 229 jet fighter project.
Where you'll see it
Flown as a research and competition glider within Germany during the war, the H.IV did not serve in any military operational capacity.
Related aircraft
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