The Ho III d Motorglider

Usage
 

Motorglider
 

Fuselage Construction

Steel tube
 

Wing Construction
 

Wood
 

Capacity
 

Pilot
 

Motor type
 

Walter Mikron engine
 

Power
 

33 kW (48) (44 HP {64 HP})

Span
 

20.5 m
 

Sweep Angle
 

24.3 degrees
 

Taper Ratio
 

8.0
 

Wing Root Thickness
 

20% chord
 

Wing Root Depth
 

3.25 m
 

Rib Spacing
 

0.4 m (0.2 m at the leading edge)

Wing Area
 

37.5 m2
 

Aspect Ratio
 

11.1
 

Pilot position
 

Seated
 

Mid-section width
 

2.4 m
 

Cockpit width
 

0.8 m
 

Cockpit height (from seat)
 

0.95 m
 

Empty weight
 

300 kg
 

Ballast (water)
 

---
 

Additional payload
 

80 kg
 

Fuel
 

40 kg
 

Maximum weight
 

420 kg
 

Wing loading
 

11.2 kg/m2
 

Engine loading

12.7 kg/kW
 

Stall speed
 

44 km/h
 

Landing speed
 

44 km/h
 

Minimum Sink
 

0.60 m/s at 53 km/h and 12 kg/m2 loading

Best Glide Ratio
 

25:1 at 70 km/h and 12 kg/m2 loading

Cruise speed
 

130 km/h
 

Maximum speed (horizontal)

160 km/h
 

Maximum speed
 

210 km/h
 
A Ho IIIb was converted to the "d" model in Bonn during the 1941/42 winter, by the installation of a small Walter "Mikron" engine with a two-bladed propeller at the trailing edge of the center section, provided the necessary thrust. The Mikron engine was a substitute for a Zundapp engine, that was not available.

 Troubles plagued the project in the beginning, and it was October before the first powered flight was made. Constant engine problems kept the machine on the ground most of the time, and not until a larger engine with 50% more power was installed, did our troubles subside.

 From then on, the licensed workmen in the plant were encouraged to fly it, and considerable flying time was accumulated.

 In February 1943, I had the opportunity to demonstrate the Ho III before Professor Prandtl. While I explained my bell shaped lift distribution theory, Scheidhauer made a very convincing flight demonstration of its forgiving slow flight behavior, by doing whip stalls at hangar roof level. This resulted in a for us very favorable report from the professor to the Air Ministry.