I previously photographed a wrecked Horten glider at the NASM Udvar-Hazy Center and so this was a real thrill to see how they really looked like - and how tight the fit was for the pilot. This example was discovered in Germany at the end of WWII and flown by British officers until 1950. When it became part of the Deutsches Museum - Flugwerft Schleissheim collection in 1971, the mid-section was missing and was painstakingly reconstructed during restoration work.

Tail-less prone-pilot flying-wing glider, built 1943 for the Luftwaffe. Captured by RAF at end of WW2 as VP543. Later taken to USA and registered as N79289.

German 1943-built tailless prone-pilot flying wing glider. Ex Luftwaffe LA+AC, VP543 RAF and BGA647. To USA in 1950.