The Daimler Benz Project "E" was designed as a piloted missile
to be launched from the Daimler Benz Project "C"
carrier aircraft. Five of these manned missiles could be carried at one
time (see diagram below). The wings and tailplanes were swept back sharply,
and power was supplied by a single He S 011 jet engine mounted on the bottom
aft of the fuselage. 2500 kg (5500 lbs) of explosives were located in the
nose of the aircraft, which were detonated on impact. Once carried aloft
by the carrier aircraft, the DB Project "E" aircraft were then
released near the target, with the pilot then choosing his target and then
diving towards it. When the pilot was assured of a hit, he was to escape
using the ejection seat. Although this aircraft wasn't officially considered
a suicide plane, the pilot probably had a very small chance of survival,
due to the speed of the aircraft in the attack and the proximity to the
target when ejecting.
Span: 8.5 m (27' 10.6")
Length: 9.2 m (30' 2.2")
Max. Speed: Unknown
The mounting arrangement of the Daimler Benz
Project "E"
piloted missile on the Daimler Benz Project "C" carrier aircraft
A cutaway drawing of the Daimler Benz Artist
Gert Heumann's impression of the
Project "E" piloted missile showing the warhead, Daimler
Benz Project "E" during launch.
fuel suply and jet engine locations.... Note
the different engine and cockpit positions....
All images (except the Gert Heumann image) on this page from Secret
Wonder Weapons of the Third Reich by Justo Miranda & Paula Mercado