The Secret Role of Germany’s UFO-Like Aircraft Designs in WWII

During World War II, the German military explored many unconventional aircraft designs. Among these was a unique project initiated by Arthur Sack, an amateur designer who found himself at the center of an unusual aviation experiment.

From Model Competition to Government Backing

In June 1939, Arthur Sack, a farmer and aviation enthusiast, entered an airplane model competition with a distinctive design known as the AS-1. The AS-1, Sack’s circular aircraft, was unable to take off on its own and needed to be launched by hand. Despite its failure to perform the most crucial function of an airplane—taking off—the model caught the attention of Ernst Udet, who was a high-ranking official in the German Ministry of Aviation.

Udet, then in charge of procurement and supply, was intrigued by Sack’s innovative design. Even though the AS-1 did not fly, Udet saw potential in the concept and encouraged Sack to continue his work. Udet provided Sack with financial support and resources from the Ministry of Aviation. This kind of backing was rare and essential for such an experimental project.

With Udet’s support, Sack developed four additional prototypes, each progressively larger and more advanced. By 1943, Sack completed the AS-5 and submitted it to the Ministry. Despite previous test failures, the Ministry remained interested and allocated funds for a full-scale prototype, the AS-6. Construction began in mid to late 1943, and by January 1944, the AS-6 was complete.

Construction and Testing Challenges of the AS-6

Due to material shortages during the war, the AS-6 was built using parts from salvaged aircraft. Its design was somewhat similar to an American project known as the V173. The AS-6 was relatively small, measuring 21 feet long, 16 feet wide, and 8 feet tall. Its circular wing provided a larger lifting surface compared to the conventional Messerschmitt Bf 109, but the AS-6 was not built for combat. It lacked armor and weapons, and its frame was made of plywood covered with canvas.

The AS-6 was powered by a 240-horsepower Argus As 10C3 engine, salvaged from a Bf 108, a plane typically used for civilian or observation purposes. The cockpit components, including the pilot seat and landing gear, were taken from a Bf 109B. A small skid initially replaced the rear wheel but was later upgraded to a proper wheel for better control. The aircraft featured a standard tail with a vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizers, a rudder, and two elevators.

Testing of the AS-6 began in February 1944 at Brandis Air Base. Initial results were disappointing. During taxi tests, the aircraft needed significant modifications to achieve proper control. Attempts to take off were unsuccessful, with the AS-6 only managing short hops. On the final attempt, a failure in the brakes or wheels resulted in damage to the fragile frame.

Sack and test pilot Rolf Altbaumer revised the design, believing that the angle of attack was too low to generate sufficient lift. Sack suggested moving the landing gear back by 8 inches, while Altbaumer thought a more powerful engine was needed. Due to supply constraints, Sack’s solution was implemented, and the landing gear was adjusted.

Design Revisions and Continued Challenges for the AS-6

Further modifications included better brakes from a Junkers Ju 88 and additional ballast and metal plating to improve stability. Testing resumed in April 1944, but results remained unsatisfactory. The AS-6 continued to make only short hops and exhibited a tendency to bank left due to engine torque. Another wheel failure led to further delays and required design changes.

By mid-1944, the project faced setbacks as the AS-6 was put into storage. The need for more modifications halted the project, and it remained in storage at Brandis Air Base. The arrival of the Messerschmitt Me 163, a rocket-powered aircraft, led to renewed interest in the AS-6. Franz Russell, a test pilot, attempted to fly the AS-6, but the aircraft’s landing gear failed again, preventing any further testing.

The Fate of the AS-6

In early 1945, the AS-6 was likely damaged or destroyed during Allied attacks on Brandis Air Base. If it survived the attacks, the aircraft was probably scrapped shortly afterward. Although the AS-6 project ended, Arthur Sack proposed adapting the Bf 109 with the AS-6’s circular wings, a concept briefly named the Me 600. However, this idea did not progress further.

After the war, Sack retired from aircraft design and did not contribute any more designs. He passed away in 1964. Ernst Udet, who had supported Sack’s project, did not live to see the AS-6 completed. Udet died in November 1941, reportedly blaming Hermann Göring for his demise in his suicide note.

The AS-6, with its saucer-like appearance, became a point of interest in post-war UFO conspiracy theories, alongside other German projects like the Bell and the Horten 229. Despite its limited success, the AS-6 remains a notable example of Germany’s experimental aircraft designs during WWII.