Sack AS-6
The Sack AS -6 was the prototype of an unusual German Nurflügelflugzeugs, the Flying Coaster with circular wing area.
The name goes back to the developer Arthur Sack, who in his youth had the idea to develop a new aircraft with special flight characteristics. From 1939, he built six models of unconventional aircraft. The first model AS -1, which could not start independently and had very poor flight characteristics, he exhibited at the Leipzig- Mockau in June 1939, during the first national competition for model aircraft. Ernst Udet, who was fascinated by the flying disc, encouraged Arthur Sack continue your research by asking him official support in view. Then he built four more machines on a larger scale.
Beginning of 1944 was the sixth model of AS in the Central German motor works in Leipzig 6 V1 built the first manned prototype. The V1 in the name had no relation to the former retaliatory weapons, but referred solely to the first trial samples. The cockpit, the pilot's seat and the chassis came from a cannibalized for Messerschmitt Bf 109 It was powered by a 240 hp Argus As 10 C-3 engine with wooden two-blade propeller.
Final assembly and tuning work carried out at the military airfield at Brandis. In early February 1944, by Mr. Baltabol of the ATG rolling tests with the model AS 6 V1 performed. In this case, there was damage to the aircraft, because the effect of the steering has not been sufficient. Then five start attempts have been made by the 1200 m long runway in Brandis. In this case, it was found that the control surfaces were in the flow shadow of the disk, and therefore could not work. During the last test also broke still the right leg. It was decided to increase the flow angle, as it was not possible because of wartime restrictions to get a more powerful engine. The test pilot said that you should put the chassis by 20 cm at the rear. Due to the location of the frames had to be shifted by 40 cm to the rear, however. However, this Baltabol Lord appeared because of the risk of tipping the machine forward as too dangerous. To compensate for the brakes of a Junkers Ju 88 were built, in addition placed behind the third rib 70 kg ballast and increases the tail surface with 20 mm corrugated iron. On 16 April 1944, the third launch attempt took place in Brandis on the 700 m long runway. There was no wind and the aircraft rolled 500 meters and made it a little hop. The fourth launch attempt, although the hop was still a bit bigger, but due to the direction of rotation of the propeller broke the aircraft to the left out. The hope of the test pilots was gone and he insisted on the installation of a more powerful engine and other tests in a wind tunnel. Arthur Sack, however, tried the problems in the conventional manner to solve.
In the summer of 1944, the 1st Fighter Squadron was stationed with the new 400 rocket fighter Messerschmitt Me 163 in Brandis. Since the fighter pilots of the Messerschmitt Me 163 were accustomed to perform difficult start aircraft with a low wing span, it was not long until they their happiness with the AS 6 V1 attempted. They gave the aircraft the nickname " Flying coasters ". When attempting to start of Lieutenant Franz Rössle the landing gear broke one more time. Ultimately failed all tests documented, which was partly due to the insufficient engine power. It was never reported a successful start, but only by a few short hops.
Due to a heavy air attack in 1944/ 45 was the AS 6 V1 damaged. The wood of the damaged aircraft was re-used for other purposes, while the various metal parts ended up in the junkyard. When invasion of the allies in Brandis in April 1945, therefore also found no traces of the project more.
The Sack AS -6 has significantly promoted the spread of the legend of the Empire flying disc due to its futuristic appearance.