Image:Lippisch mono glider 1928.jpg

[edit] Summary

Attention ! This is not the Lippisch "Ente" but the Lippisch-Espenblaub E2 - see discussion. Artwo 10:22, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Description: Fritz von Opel had performed a number of publicity stunts involving rocket-powered cars for his Opel motor car company. Along with Friedrich Sander, a pyrotechnics manufacturer and Max Valier, a rocketry advocate, Opel concocted a scheme to attach two rockets to an Alexander Lippisch designed tail-less glider. In the summer of 1928, the three men brought the glider, called "Ente" to Wasserkuppe, Germany, and hired Fritz Stammer to test it.

Two black powder rockets were attached to the skids on the underside. They were to be electronically fired from a switch. In order to adjust the center of gravity as the powder burned, a counterweight system was positioned under the glider. The rockets were timed to be fired one after the other to provide continuous thrust. Each rocket was intended to burn for about thirty seconds. After one false start, the rocket fired and the aircraft roared across the grassy field and into the air. Stammer reached an altitude of 1,500 meters (4,900 ft.), circled the mountain and landed safely.

On the second flight, the team decided to fire both rockets simultaneously thereby doubling the thrust for a 30 seconds burn. At the instant of launch, one rocket fired, but the other one appeared to sputter and as the plane left the ground, it exploded. The blast tore holes in both wings and set them on fire. Amazingly, Stammer brought the burning aircraft back to ground from an altitude of about 65 feet and quickly abandoned it. The aircraft was a total loss, as was Fritz von Opel's dream of rocket-powered gliders. Stamer continued testing other glider prototypes and operated his flight school until 1933. Lippisch went on to become an accomplished aircraft designer.

[edit] Licensing

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