Pützer Horten Ho 33
Alfons Pützer KG · Germany · first flew 1954 · glider
The Horten Ho 33 was a West German tailless swept-wing sailplane designed by the Horten brothers and built by Alfons Pützer KG in 1954, continuing the Horten tradition of flying-wing aeronautical research in the postwar era.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × none, embedded-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 4.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Unpowered sailplane — no engine
- Swept flying-wing sailplane
- Horten-style tailless configuration
An unmistakable flying wing without any conventional tail surfaces, with swept planform and an open cockpit set well forward in the centre section — classic Horten design language.
Specifications
- The Pützer Horten Ho 33 has a length of 4.5 m (15 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 210 km/h (130 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
After World War II, Reimar and Walter Horten resumed their flying-wing research in West Germany and Argentina. The Ho 33 was one of several postwar Horten sailplane designs exploring the aerodynamic properties of the tailless layout; it was built under the Pützer name.
Variants
The Ho 33 was a single design in the postwar Horten glider series; it was not produced in quantity.
Where you'll see it
Used for soaring and aerodynamic research; not operated in any military or commercial capacity.
Related aircraft
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