The Ho III b - The Ho III Work Continues


Usage

 

Performance sailplane

Fuselage Construction

Steel tube

 

Wing Construction

 

Wood

 

Capacity

 

One person

 

Span

 

20.5 m

 

Sweep Angle

 

24.3 degrees

 

Taper Ratio

 

8

 

Wing Root Thickness

 

20% chord

 

Wing Root Depth

 

6.25 m

 

Rib Spacing

 

0.4 m (0.20 at the leading edge)

Wing Area

 

37.5 m2

 

Aspect Ratio

 

11.1

 

Pilot position

 

Seated

 

Mid-section width

 

2.4 m

 

Cockpit width

 

0.80 m

 

Cockpit height (from seat)

 

0.95 m

 

Empty weight

 

250 kg

 

Ballast (water)

 

---

 

Additional payload

 

80 kg

 

Maximum weight

 

330 kg

 

Wing loading

 

8.8 kg/m2

 

Stall speed

 

39 km/h

 

Landing speed

 

39 km/h

 

Minimum Sink

 

0.50 m/s at 45 km/h and 8.8 kg/m2 loading

Best Glide Ratio

 

28:1 at 60 km/h and 8.8 kg/m2 loading

Maximum Speed

 

210 km/h

 
Sailplanes from the entire country were brought together at the glider school in Braunschweig. Among these were two Ho II's and five Ho III b's. I suggested that the two Ho II's be replaced by two Ho III b's in storage at Wurzburg-Kitzingen, in order to standardize the fleet. The two aircraft were then shipped to Peschke for overhaul by rail. They arrived with their wings cut in half, in order to fit them in the railroad car! Both aircraft had to be totally rebuilt.

 For the planned invasion of England, the Ho III b's were to be modified to carry ammunition. A 400-lb capacity pallet was fitted into the center section, and four 50-lb compartments were built into the wings, with access from above. With a full load of 800 lb. plus pilot, the Ho III flew even better than before, and was able to soar, despite a 250% increase in wing loading!