The Haunebu Prototypes

Haunebu I first flew in 1939 and the prototypes apparently carried out 52 test flights. Three years later, in 1942, the enlarged Haunebu II (26 metre diameter) was all set for flight testing. Haunebu II had a crew of nine and was also able to achieve supersonic flight of 6,000 to 21,000 km/h (3,728 to 13,049 mph) with a flight endurance of 55 hours. Both the prototype and the further developed 32 metre diameter Haunebu II Do-Stra had heat shielding from a double hull of Victalen in order to resist the incredible temperatures of these velocities. Victalen was pioneered by SS metallurgists specifically for both the Haunebu and Vril series of disc craft. The Haunebu II made 106 test flights.

By 1944, the perfected war model, the Haunebu II Do-Stra (Dornier STRAtospharen Flugzeug/Stratospheric Aircraft) was tested. Two prototypes were built. These massive machines were crewed by 9 men but with room for up to 20 men. They were also capable of hypersonic speed beyond 21,000 km/h (13,049 mph). The SS had intended to produce the machines and received tenders for both Junkers and Dornier but in late 1944/early 1945 Dornier was chosen. However, due to the end of the war, Dornier were prevented from building any production models.

Larger still was the 71 metre diameter Haunebu III. A lone prototype was built before the end of the war. It was crewed by 32 and could achieve speeds of 7,000 to 40,000 km/h (4350 to 24,855 mph). It had a triple layered Victalen hull. It is said to have had a flight endurance of 7 to 8 weeks and that it made a total of 19 test flights. This craft was to be used for evacuation work for Thule and Vril in March of 1945.

It is believed that the Nazis had further plans for a whopping 120 metre diameter Haunebu IV. Although no such craft is known to have been built before the end of the war.