The Bachem Ba-349 Natter (Viper) was a last-ditch effort by the Luftwaffe for a bomber interceptor that relied on rocket power to get to altitude extremely fast. Unlike the rocket-powered Me-163 Komet, the Natter was launched vertically and as such was the first military VTO aircraft. It was made largely of non-strategic wood with a Walter HWK engine (3748 lb st) at the rear and sometimes added solid boosters. It could climb at an astounding 36,000 fpm! It was launched off improvised telephone poles by a simple attachment launch rail and could reach the bomber streams at under 1 minute. Upon approach the little-trained or no trained pilot would eject the plastc nosecone exposing the 24 rocket battery and blast away at the bomber's belly for attack. Then, the Natter would bank away and the pilot would eject the front nose section, exposing himself. Releasing a safety belt he would pull a lever and a parachute to the rear would throw him forward out of the fuselage. He would pull his own parachute and he and the saved rocket motor would land safely on German territory to be recovered! The program was originally Luftwaffe, but was taken-over by the SS with 150 ordered. Only 36 were produced in 1945 with the first manned launch killing the pilot (the canopy hinge broke off and knocked him unconscious). 5 more manned flights were scheduled but not documented (probably SS tested) then six more unmanned successful launches. When the US Army approached the area with tanks the 10 Natters ready for launch were seized as well as other Natters under assembly. A few survive in museums in the US and Germany. The craft was considered unsafe for USAAF/USAF manned testing; however, the VTO idea was retained with US X-planes.