The Opel RAK.1 was the world's first purpose-built rocket-powered aircraft. It was designed and built by Julius Hatry under commission from Fritz von Opel, who flew it on September 30, 1929 in front of a large crowd at Rebstock airport near Frankfurt am Main. The RAK.1 plane was part of a series of rocket-powered vehicles that were developed and demonstrated within the Opel RAK program, the world's first large-scale rocket program.
Opel RAK.1, world's first public flight of a rocket-powered aircraft on September 30, 1929
Fritz von Opel (right) and Friedrich Sander (left) in front of Opel RAK.1
Replica of "Raketen-Ente", an Alexander Lippisch designed sailplane, bought by Opel and equipped with two of Friedrich Sander's Opel RAK rockets; on display in Deutsches Segelflugmuseum at Wasserkuppe
Replica of Opel RAK.1, the world's first purpose-built rocket plane
Julius Hatry was a German aircraft designer and builder. He is remembered for his contributions to sailplane development in the early twentieth century and for building the world's first purpose-built rocket plane, the Opel RAK.1.
Replica of Opel RAK.1
RAK liquid-fuel rocket aircraft prototype based on Gebrüder-Müller-Griessheim (GMG) design in construction, Fritz von Opel sitting in cockpit
World's first public flight of a rocket-plane on September 30, 1929: Opel RAK.1, piloted by Fritz von Opel
