Horten Ho 229

[NorthropN9M]

Attached is a picture of a Horten Ho 229. I have been working on this project for about 2 weeks. The specs of this Ho 229 are:

Version: Ho 229 V3
Imel Version No.: Im 6
Wingspan: 72"
Target Weight: 3.5 lbs
Propulsion: Two Electric Ducted Fans
Airfoil: Imel A004
Wing Twist: Imel-T002
Software Used:
CompuFoil 3D
TurboCAD 9.1
Maiden Flight Target: December 5, 2004

Complete coverage of the build can be found at http://www.bellimelgroup.com

I am beginning to fit the engines to the wing. I have to cut some holes in the leading edge for the air intakes. For now I am working on the exhaust fit.

I am happy to answer questions, so feel free to fire away.

Jeff

[FLB]

Hi NorthropN9M,

Welcome to the forum and congratulations for your project. I will keep a eye on it and see how you will do your air intakes. I've never used electric ducted fan and I'm curious to see a video of this nice wing with them.

Regards, FLB

[FLB]

Hi NorthropN9M,

I found a interesting link for you on another forum. 2 videos of a huge Horten IX flying with turbins and even a Concord model take off. Your Horten should really look like this when finished. I found a painting of it. Nice color scheme.

http://home2.scarlet.be/catalin1/houthalen.htm

Regards, FLB

[NorthropN9M]

FLB,

Thanks for the link!

I am working on the rough fitting of the EDF and duct.

Jeff

[FLB]

Looks promising. Courage... :)
Nice pictures on your website too.

Regards, Frederic

[FLB]

Hi NorthropN9M,

I think I found an interesting link for you with some great construction pictures of that huge Horten IX (hope it's the same). Unfortunately, it's in german:

http://www.das-nurfluegelteam.de/index.html
then Hortenkonzept (left part of the page)
then Story der H9 mit Düsen and weitere Bilder Bau- und Erstflug

Seems to have other interesting links on flying wings.

Regards, Frederic

[NorthropN9M]

Vielen Dank Herr. Frederic!

[NorthropN9M]

Fan fitting.

Many more pictures at http://www.bellimelgroup.com

Jeff

[NorthropN9M]

Latest and greatest pictures attached. The starboard servo is roughed in along with the linkage. The control linkage will be hidden inside of the wing. Both exhaust ports are also roughed in.

Jeff

[NorthropN9M]

Exhaust Ports

[FLB]

Hi,

Did you find a solution for the air intakes in the leading edge without weaken too much the structure of the wing? In the big one, it looks like the wing is thick enough to let the intakes pass between top and bottom main struts. The rear parts you have done look nice.

Regards, Frédéric

[NorthropN9M]

Frédéric,

I am adding two carbon fiber tubes to the structure this weekend after the glue dries on the joint between the wing panels. You'll see in the pictures next week.

Jeff

[NorthropN9M]

Next steps are to install the fans in the airframe, cut the elevons off and prepare them for hinging.

Jeff

P.S. I uploaded a new video of the N9M landing at:
http://www.bellimelgroup.com/videos/Landing_0001.wmv

[FLB]

Hi Jeff,

On the web, I found a new link still on the same big Horten IX but in english and with some building pictures:
http://home.wanadoo.nl/dutch-horten-team/ho9v2.htm

And also: http://mfc-rhein-main.flugmodellbau.de/Gallerie/Horten/H9_2m40/
And of course that you should know already:
http://www.nurflugel.com/Nurflugel/Horten_Nurflugels/ho_ix/body_ho_ix.html

Already 60 years now that both Horten's brothers built their flying wings. So futuristic lines...

Regards, Frédéric

[NorthropN9M]

Thank you Frédéric for the links. Much appreciated.

The latest picture: The builder and his wing. One week away from covering.

Jeff
http://www.flyingwing.net

[NorthropN9M]

Worked on the elevons today and the hinge pockets.

Jeff

[FLB]

Hi Jeff,

I thought the wing was smaller but after your picture with it in your hands I had to revise my estimation. I'm already waiting for the video... :)

Cheers. Frédéric

[NorthropN9M]

Hinging the port elevon is complete. I am laminating the port EDF mount. Preparing to install center section sheeting and rib caps. With both servos and EDFs installed, weight is 2 lbs 4 oz. Still on target for a 3.0 - 3.5 lb total build.

Jeff

[NorthropN9M]

Adding rib caps and have both EDF mounts roughed out and laminated.

Jeff
http://www.flyingwing.net

[mgs9]

Wow thats so cool. I suprised someone else made a horten ho modle form scratch.
I started making one last spring. Its not as good as yours. I have a huge balsa would block in the center. I too was going to put ducted fans on either side as well but I wasn't sure if it would have enough thrust. So I stoped working on it.
Ill try to get some pictures if my comp will load them up right.

[NorthropN9M]

The Ho 229 successfully completed 12 non-powered test flights this afternoon. Winds were out of the west at 16 MPH, gusting to 22. I have uploaded a low resolution video of a few of the flights. You can click on the link below to view the video.

http://tinyurl.com/4jsr8

More pictures of the Ho 229 build can be found at http://www.flyingwing.net

The next phase of flight testing begins tomorrow with the installation of the EDFs.

Best regards,

Jeff

http://www.bellimelgroup.com/images/IMG00003ddddd.jpg

[NorthropN9M]

We are preparing for powered flight testing this weekend, weather permitting. While the fiberglass nacelles dry, I have been working on the plans and the Builder's Notes. The most effort is going into designing the nacelles so that they are easy to build and can either be made out of balsa wood or fiberglass. In one design, using fiberglass, a 3" PVC pipe can be used as the mold. In another design, the nacelles are built up using an internal balsa structure with external sheeting. I am detailing both methods so the builder can choose either one or use their own method.

Best regards,

Jeff
http://www.ho229.com

[NorthropN9M]

Almost finished. I am sanding the nacelles today and plan to fly tomorrow, weather permitting.

We released the foam cutter package for the 20 foot Northrop N9M yesterday afternoon. This flying wing is 1/3 the size of the full scale Northrop N9M.

Best regards to all,

Jeff
http://www.ho229.com

[NorthropN9M]

The two 3" GWS engines do the job on the 72" Horten 229. I am getting 6 minutes of full throttle burn time on a single 2400 mAh NiCad pack. With throttle management, I can get 10 - 12 minutes of flight time.

I have flight testing to do, weather permitting, over the next few days.

I am adding updates to the 72" Ho 229 plans and I believe they will be ready to be released in about 10 to 14 days.

Best regards,

Jeff

[NorthropN9M]

Flight testing continues with the WeMoTec Mini Fans and brushed 480 Race motors. The Ho 229 flies great and I have found it to be an enjoyable aircraft to fly. Flight characteristics are identical to the 70" Twin Speed 400 powered Northrop N9M. It is a pleasant aircraft to fly and it is an unusually striking sight in the air. It does grab people's attention.

I've made a handful of changes to the plans, primarily to make the build a bit easier.

I have released two sets of plans -- an Ho 229 V3 and an Ho 229 V1 -- both with 72" wingspans.

This has been a good size (72" wingspan) for me. It's easy to transport and with the electric power I am in the air in just a few minutes of arriving at the flying site. I'll use what I have learned in this build in the larger and smaller Ho 229 projects now on the drafting board.

Best regards,

Jeff
http://www.ho229.com

[vmsguy]

Have you considered building the Horten "Ho V". This was a twin pusher prop design, built in the mid-late 30's.

In some ways it might be easier to build/fly because the props could ad gyroscopic stability. Plus, one would need the ducting.

Just a thought...

Lyndon

[RichardStimpson]

Hi everyone.
I live in the UK and am thinking of building a Ho229 as a slope soarer. Please has anyone any experience of this version. I am particularly interested in how aerobatic the model is. Does it roll and loop like a delta (good rolls but not so good loops) or more like a conventional model?
Many thanks for any help.
Best Wishes,
Richard