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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexander Lippisch | 2/2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Lippisch | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T13:11:25.647466+00:00 | kb-cron |
Hermann Behrbohm worked for the BEE (French Aerodynamic Research and Development Institute) from 1946 on with operations in Emmendingen and Weil am Rhein in the French occupation zone in Germany. His research was used in the later French developedment of the Dassault Mirage. Hermann Behrbohm worked for Saab, Linköping, Sweden from 1951 on, where he made significant contributions to the Saab 35 Draken and Saab 37 Viggen supersonic-delta wing-fighter aircraft, developing the delta wing and supersonic flight concepts. Bertil Dillner worked on the concepts with Behrbohm at Saab. Bertil Dillner immigrated to the US in 1967 and started working for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in Seattle at the supersonic Boeing 2707 SST passenger jet in 1967-1972 and the aerodynamics of hypersonic aviation at the re-entry of the Space Shuttle. Dillner was chief aerodynamic engineer at Boeing Commercial Airplanes from 1972 to 1981. Dillner became aerodynamic chief engineer 1981-1985 for Boeing Defense, Space & Security in Seattle and chief engineer 1985-1988 until his retirement.
== Postwar work in the United States == Like many German scientists, Lippisch was taken to the United States after the war under Operation Paperclip. He worked at the White Sands Missile Range.
=== Ground effect aircraft === From 1950 to 1964, Lippisch worked for the Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which had an aeronautical division. It was during this time that his interest shifted toward ground effect craft. The result was an aerofoil boat research seaplane X-112, flown in 1963. However, Lippisch contracted cancer, and resigned from Collins. When he recovered in 1966, he formed his own research company, Lippisch Research Corporation, and attracted the interest of the West German government. Prototypes for both the aerodyne and the ground-effect craft RFB X-113 (1970) then RFB X-114 (1977) were built, but no further development was undertaken. The Kiekhaefer Mercury company was also interested in his ground-effect craft and successfully tested one of his designs as the Aeroskimmer, but also eventually lost interest.
=== Aerodyne === Lippisch conceived of a VTOL craft which he called an "aerodyne". Its fuselage comprised a large ducted rotor, and the thrust could be varied between downwards for vertical takeoff and landing, and backwards for forward flight. He worked principally with two companies in its development. The Collins Aerodyne, developed while he was there, had a horizontal-axis rotor with the efflux directed via large flaps located immediately behind it. The craft was stabilised by a long, high tail running back from above the flaps. The Dornier Aerodyne was a smaller drone which sat vertically for takeoff and landing, and the whole craft rotated horizontally for forward flight. Neither type got beyond the prototype stage.
== Death and legacy == Lippisch died in Cedar Rapids on 11 February 1976. In 1985, he was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
== Some Lippisch designs == Lippisch SG-38 Zögling, 1926 RRG Storch V, powered tailless glider, 1929 DFS 39, tailless research aircraft DFS 40, tailless research aircraft DFS 193, experimental aircraft DFS 194, rocket-powered research aircraft, forerunner of Me 163 Lippisch P.01-111, designed during 'Projekt X', which would eventually culminate in the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet. Lippisch Li P.04, a tailless airplane designed as a competitor to the Messerschmitt Me 329 Lippisch Li P.10, 1942 tailless bomber design Lippisch P.11, designed to compete with the Horten Ho 229 Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet Lippisch P.13, 1943 push-pull bomber design Lippisch P.13a, a unique delta-winged, ramjet-powered interceptor. Lippisch P.13b, a unique airplane powered by a rotating fuel-table of lignite, owing to the fuel shortages late in World War 2 in Germany. Lippisch P.15, a development of the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet. Lippisch P.20, a development of the P.15. Dornier Aerodyne, a 1972 wingless VTOL unmanned aircraft (UAV)
== See also == Delta wing Supersonic flight Hermann Behrbohm Willy Messerschmitt Bertil Dillner German inventors and discoverers John Carver Meadows Frost Space Shuttle
== References ==
== External links ==
Lecture on aerodynamics by Dr. Lippisch Alexander Lippisch Digital Collection Archived 2017-11-23 at the Wayback Machine Alexander Lippisch Papers (archives)