Every Secret German Aircraft of WWII

Germany’s wartime aviation program produced dozens of aircraft that never reached full operational service. Some were advanced solutions to real tactical problems, others reflected desperation as Allied pressure increased.

Me 163 Komet

A rocket powered interceptor and the fastest aircraft of the war. Its extreme speed came with severe risks, including volatile fuel and very limited flight time.

Heinkel He 280

The world’s first turbojet fighter to fly. It preceded the Me 262 but was cancelled due to engine reliability problems and shifting priorities.

Messerschmitt Me 309

An attempted replacement for the Bf 109 featuring tricycle landing gear and cockpit pressurization. Poor handling characteristics ended development.

Focke Wulf Ta 183

A swept wing jet fighter designed by Kurt Tank. The aircraft never flew and remained in prototype and wind tunnel form when the war ended.

Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger

A lightweight jet fighter built largely from wood to conserve materials. Hundreds were completed, though few saw combat before the war ended.

Messerschmitt Me 328

A pulsejet powered parasite fighter intended to be carried by bombers. Severe vibration issues made the concept unworkable.

Focke Wulf Fw 187 Falke

A twin engine heavy fighter that performed well in testing. Political decisions prevented its adoption despite strong performance.

Blohm and Voss BV 155

A high altitude interceptor derived from the Bf 109 with an extended wingspan. Only prototype examples were built.

Horten Ho 229

A revolutionary flying wing jet bomber with reduced radar visibility. Testing was underway when the project was cancelled.

Arado Ar 234 Blitz

The first operational jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. Its speed made interception difficult, though it entered service late in the war.

Heinkel He 177 Greif

Germany’s only operational heavy bomber. Persistent engine fires and technical flaws limited its effectiveness.

Junkers Ju 287

An experimental jet bomber with forward swept wings. Captured by Soviet forces, who continued development after the war.

Messerschmitt Me 264

A long range bomber designed for potential strikes against the United States. Allied bombing halted the program before completion.

Focke Wulf Ta 400

A proposed six engine intercontinental bomber. It never progressed beyond detailed design studies.

Henschel Hs 129

A heavily armored ground attack aircraft built for anti tank missions. Firepower was strong, but engines were underpowered.

Blohm and Voss BV 141

An asymmetric reconnaissance aircraft with an offset crew nacelle. It flew successfully but was never produced.

Arado Ar 232

A transport aircraft with a multi wheel landing gear designed for rough fields. Production remained very limited.

Blohm and Voss BV 238

The largest aircraft built by any Axis power. This massive flying boat flew once before being destroyed.

Junkers Ju 390

A six engine long range transport and reconnaissance aircraft. Only two prototypes were completed.

Bachem Ba 349 Natter

A vertical launch rocket interceptor intended for point defense. Test flights were dangerous, with several fatal accidents.

Lippisch P.13a

A ramjet powered delta wing interceptor that existed only as prototypes and wind tunnel models.

Focke Wulf Triebflügel

A vertical takeoff interceptor with rotating wings around the fuselage. It remained a conceptual design only.

Döbelhoff WNF 342

A tip jet helicopter using compressed air to drive the rotors. Several prototypes flew, and Allied forces captured examples.