Reimar continues discussing problems with glue, [3:17]. Did Reimar ask any of his former employees from wartime Horten workshops to join him in Argentina? No, for them, inflation and cost of living too high…[7:00] scientists and engineers paid well, less skilled labor paid low wages, [7:33] laborers about 200 pesos per month, draftsmen about 400, engineers 6-800, Reimar 2,700 per month, Reimar talks about difficulties to design and manufacturer complex components. [11:47] Reimar on the sailplane that competed in 1952 world meet in Spain [I. Ae. 34m], 1 survived to 1986 but only good for museum – not flyable. [14:03] Fate of Pulqui II sailplane prototypes, [16:00] Pulqui II details top secret, Sanders got year-and-a-half in prison for having a small drawing as he went through customs. [18:17] Flight test results – Pulqui II glider, Behrens test pilot: 1st flight, "rudder is impossible … aileron" very difficult. Modifications incorporated into 2nd Pulqui II sailplane, new tail, fin and rudder, aileron control …other problems with Pulqui II [to 26:28]; Reimar blamed for failure of Pulqui II. Tank flew sailplane but he did not stall the aircraft. Reimar arrived in Argentina 10 May 1948 [31:59] and first Pulqui II sailplane flew end of August, [33:00] why two Pulqui II sailplanes required. [35:11] Why use skid gear instead of more conventional (and complex) landing gear on these sailplanes? [39:50] Tank refused to change Pulqui II design as Reimar advised, because Argentine officials already had models of the aircraft that showed design details. [43:37] Who measured Pulqui II design in Cordoba wind tunnel, Buford (sp?) repaired tunnel, improved operation. [47:00] Tank would not accept Reimar's recommendations to improve Pulqui II, Reimar left Tank in 1949. [50:45] Reimar wanted more taper and twist for the wing, other solutions to Pulqui II problems difficult for Tank for various reasons. [51:51] Northrop B-49 had fixed slots with laminar profile wingtips – Reimar: how can you have good laminar flow with the airflow disturbed by the slots? [55:31] Who ordered Pulqui II project terminated? [56:30] Reimar on inferior engines installed in Argentine transport aircraft, used in Ju 52 that Reimar used to tow delta glider, tow plane has engine failure and force-lands in soccer stadium, lucky no injuries.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
Collection Citation:
Walter and Reimar Horten Interviews [Myhra], Acc. 1999-0065, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.