The Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachstelze (Wagtail) was one of the most unusual aircraft of the Second World War — an unpowered rotary-wing kite (gyroglider) designed to be towed behind German Type IXD2 U-boats to extend the visual horizon of the observer from approximately 5 km at sea level to up to 53 km in clear conditions. Compact, ingeniously engineered, and entirely dependent on the towing speed of the submarine for flight, the Fa 330 represents a unique intersection of naval and aeronautical engineering. This collection brings together 2 original German-language technical manuals covering the Fa 330 A-0 and A-1 variants: the aircraft handbook and the illustrated spare parts catalog.
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Historical Note
Designed by Henrich Focke and produced primarily by Weser Flugzeugbau (Weser-Flugzeugbau), the Fa 330 entered service with the Kriegsmarine in 1942. Its operational concept was straightforward but demanding: stowed in two watertight canisters in the conning tower of a U-boat, it could be assembled by a four-man crew and deployed within minutes. Connected to the submarine by a steel cable of approximately 300 metres, the observer communicated with the bridge by telephone while the autogyro rotor — a free-turning three-bladed system requiring a minimum towing speed of 17–22 mph (27–35 km/h) — kept the craft aloft at altitudes of up to 120 metres.
Approximately 200 Fa 330s were constructed, with around 120 deployed operationally on Type IX U-boats. By 1943, however, the increasing threat of Allied air patrols in the Atlantic made surfacing to deploy the kite extremely dangerous — its large radar signature compounded the risk — and operational use was largely confined to the Indian Ocean, where Allied air cover was less dense. In an emergency crash-dive, the pilot could jettison the rotor blades, which would release a parachute to lower both pilot and machine to the sea.
Post-war British experiments confirmed the Fa 330 was easy to tow behind vehicles and generally stable in flight, though it exhibited handling challenges during the landing phase under certain wind conditions. Surviving examples are held at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (A19540016000), the RAF Museum (75/AF/805), and several other institutions worldwide. Technical documentation is also referenced in the FIAT-176 report (Final Inspection of Aerial Technologies).
Manuals Included in This Collection
Variant A — 1 Manual
- Fa 330 A-0, A-1 Aircraft Handbook — Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)
General — 1 Manual
- Fa 330 Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog — Ersatzteilliste (German Language)
Together these two documents provide the foundational technical reference for the Fa 330: the handbook covering design, operation, assembly, disassembly, and emergency procedures, and the parts catalog providing the illustrated breakdown of all structural and mechanical components.
Aerodynamic and Design Characteristics
- Design Principle: Single-seat gyroglider on the autogyro principle — unpowered, relying entirely on towed airspeed for rotor autorotation and lift.
- Structure: Main structural member was a tubular steel boom to which the observer's seat, rotor pylon, and tail unit (rudder and horizontal stabiliser) were attached.
- Rotor System: Three-bladed, free-turning autogyro rotor, 7.32 m (24 ft) diameter. Minimum towing speed for sustained flight: 17–22 mph (27–35 km/h).
- Control: Observer controlled rotor head tilt and rudder. No engine controls.
- Safety: Emergency rotor jettison system released a parachute to lower pilot and airframe.
- Wind Tunnel Testing: Extensively tested at the Chalais-Meudon wind tunnel, France.
- Aerodynamic Research: Detailed scientific investigations by Henrich Focke on aerodynamic problems, performance, and dynamic stability are documented in historical reviews of his work.
Engineering Norms and Standards
The Fa 330 was produced to Kriegsmarine and Luftwaffe technical standards of the period, with documentation following the standard German military Luftdienstvorschrift (LDv) and Flugzeug-Handbuch conventions. The Flugzeug-Handbuch covers assembly, disassembly, operational procedures, and emergency drills consistent with the rapid-deployment requirements of submarine operations. The Ersatzteilliste follows the standardised illustrated parts breakdown format used across German military aviation types of the era.
Performance Data
| Parameter | Fa 330 A-1 |
|---|---|
| Empty Weight | 83 kg (183 lb) |
| Rotor Diameter | 7.32 m (24 ft) |
| Tow Cable Length | ~300 m |
| Minimum Towing Speed | 27–35 km/h (17–22 mph) |
| Cruise Towing Speed | ~40 km/h (25 mph, 22 kn) |
| Never-Exceed Speed | 80 km/h (50 mph, 43 kn) |
| Maximum Operating Altitude | ~120 m (400 ft) |
| Observer Visual Range | Up to 53 km (33 miles) in clear conditions |
| Powerplant | None — unpowered gyroglider |
Format and Delivery
All manuals are delivered as high-resolution PDF files, optimised for both screen reading and printing. Files are clearly named by variant and manual type for straightforward navigation. Instant download upon purchase — no waiting, no shipping.
Disclaimer
These documents are provided for historical research, archival study, and educational reference only. They do not constitute airworthiness guidance and should not be used for any operational or maintenance purpose on any aircraft. All trade names and designations remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.