The Luftwwaffe ‘Mistel’ Program
The Mistel (“Mistletoe”), also known as Beethoven-Gerät (Beethoven Device) and Vati und Sohn (Daddy and Son), was a Luftwaffe composite aircraft, the first such experiments in Nazi Germany concerning composite aircraft of any type were performed with the DFS 230 troop glider as the “lower” component.
It was normally done using established, engine-powered Luftwaffe aircraft such as the Focke-Wulf Fw 56 or the Messerschmitt Bf 109E as the upper component, in an attempt to provide the troop glider with a longer range, than if it was simply towed in the conventional manner.
Later, the technique became more refined, and the bomber component (which was often a new aircraft rather than surplus) was fitted with a specialised 1,800 kg (3,960 lb) warhead.
The final stage of Mistel development was the development of specialised purpose-built jet-powered bomber components, including ones developed from the Messerschmitt Me 262 and Junkers Ju 287 and the entirely new Arado Ar 234. None of these ambitious schemes had left the drawing board before the end of the war.
Plate01: A Junkers JU88 A-4 as a Kampfmistel in the process of being fitted with the warhead, the nose glazing has been removed to the first bulkhead and the arms for the “parasite” aircraft have been attached.
Plate02:A Focke Wulf FW190 F-8/Junkers JU88 G-1 long range combination in Oranienburg 1945, as it was planned for use in Unternehmen Eisenhammer.