The 5 Craziest German Plane Ideas That Failed Miserably

During WWII, Germany developed some of the strangest aircraft concepts, many of which were too impractical to ever take flight. Here are five of the most bizarre ideas that never made it into combat:

1. Gotha Rammer

The Gotha Rammer was designed as a fighter plane without guns, intended to disable enemy bombers by literally ramming into them. Two versions existed: a rocket-propelled model where the pilot lay flat to withstand impact and a jet-powered variant with an ejectable cockpit pod. Neither version advanced beyond the concept stage.

2. Sack AS-6

The Sack AS-6, resembling a flying saucer, was developed by Arthur Sack using parts from other planes. Despite multiple attempts, its circular-wing design proved unfit for flight, leading to the project’s abandonment after repeated test failures.

3. Junkers Ju 287

The Ju 287 bomber featured revolutionary forward-swept wings that promised unmatched speed. Known as the “Frankenplane” due to its assembly from various aircraft components, the Ju 287 faced delays, and an order of 500 units in 1945 was too late to impact the war. Nevertheless, its design influenced future aviation developments.

4. Junkers EF 009

The EF 009 was a planned point-defense interceptor powered by ten nose-mounted jet engines. Designed for quick, short missions, it would take off vertically, transition to horizontal flight, and land unpowered on a skid. The project was deemed obsolete before completion due to rapid advancements in aircraft design.

5. Focke-Wulf Super Lorin

Based on the FW Ta 183, the Super Lorin was a proposed jet interceptor with 45-degree swept wings. It featured twin ramjets for cruising and a rocket-turbojet system for takeoff. The Super Lorin remained incomplete as the war ended, leaving its ambitious design unrealized.

These peculiar aircraft concepts remain as reminders of Germany’s experimental but ultimately impractical WWII aviation pursuits.