Ground crewman filling the lower C-Stoff tank prior to the first unmanned launch of a Natter under full rocket power on February 25, 1945.

Series of photos taken on February 28, 1945, during the first manned flight test of the Natter:
The pilot, Oberleutnant Lothar Siebert, discussing the flight with Erich Bachem.

Operational Ba 349A Natter airframes under construction at the Bachem works at Waldsee in the Black Forest. The aircraft in the foreground has yet to befitted with the nose cone and shows the space assigned for the battery of unguided rockets.

Series of photos taken on February 28, 1945, during the first manned flight test of the Natter:
Siebert going through the precarious procedure for boarding the aircraft.

An unmanned Natter being readied for flight, showing the extent of the launcher. Note the three channelled rails which guided the wings and lower fin.

An unmanned Natter being readied for its first successful vertical take-off, on December 22, 1944. No Walter 109-509 rocket motor was then available, so the much-lightened aircraft took off on the thrust of the four booster rockets only.

The full-weight test flight of the Natter on February 25 with a dummy pilot was completely successful and the rear fuselage of the Natter airframe made a soft landing by parachute.

Беспилотный (???) испытательный пуск "Наттера" с использованием пороховых ускорителей
Series of photos taken on February 28, 1945, during the first manned flight test of the Natter:
Raising a cloud of dust, Siebert’s Natter lifted clear of the launcher.

Series of photos taken on February 28, 1945, during the first manned flight test of the Natter:
Shortly afterwards the canopy broke away and the aircraft tilted on its back, before arcing into the ground with the pilot still on board.

The sparsely appointed instrument panel of the Natter carried airspeed indicator, altimeter, fuel pump rpm gauge, combustion chamber pressure gauge, fuel gauge and a novel type of attitude reference indicator.

Three-view drawing of the Bachem Ba 349A Natter with side view (bottom) of the Ba 349B. The nose cone has been removed in the front view to illustrate its rocket armament.