Horton flies again! The Horton Ho-1B is flying again! After being grounded for nearly 40 years, the Horton Ho-1B took to the air again in Argentina, thanks to aircraft restoration enthusiast Diego Roldan Knollinger. “ There are few airplanes that make us dream,” writes Knollinger, “like those that represent a radical change in aeronautical design. The flying wings are just such an original concept, and those of Reimar and Walter Horten are the best.” Aeronautical restoration specialist Knollinger worked long hours to get the Horton back in shape. He has been active in aviation most of his life, not only in Argentina, but also in Europe (via Spain, Holland, and England), returning to Argentina in 2005 to devote himself to the Horten project. He made model airplanes as a youngster before gaining his private pilot license at age 17 DiegoDand beginning a lifelong interest in aircraft restoration. He is currently building a low-wing aerobatic aircraft. Diego’s restoration of the Horten Ho-1B was based on the blueprints of Reimar Horten, who designed a series of flying wing gliders in Germany. His original 1933 design, from which the Ho-1B is derived, had problems and didn’t perform up to expectations. But the Ho-1b flew successfully from 1954 to 1972.
A video of the first flight of the restored Ho-1B can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8in4nEyiNA.Several short videos of the first test can be found at http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=PLANEADORESROSARIO&search_type=A video of the restoration process can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXdTMswP19YCommenting on these videos, Al Bowers, Director of Research at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, wrote to Diego: “Simply amazing. I have watched the video of you flying the Horten Ho-1B at least a half-dozen times now. And I get chills from the thrill of seeing you fly it every time. Simply amazing!
You have done something which I did not dream possible: to see – an ORIGINAL Horten fly again. Such is the power of vision and dreams. Diego, you are to be CONGRATULATED. Incredible.
Please continue to post videos of your flights. You and your aircraft are an inspiration to all of us...
Thank you!”
Diego Roldan Hollinger can be reached at diego1234@hotmail.com.
