wrote in message
...
On Thu, 08 Apr 2004 12:10:00 GMT, (John
Bailey) wrote:


It is interesting how far back the design elements of these aircraft
can be dated. High altitude jet aircraft technology was achieved by
the Germans in WW2. A Horton aircraft design which was apparantly
first conceived in 1931 was capable of flying at 52,000 feet.


AFAIK it never flew an inch from the ground as no aircraft
capable of flight was produced.

The Ju-86R on the other hand managed to get up to altitudes
in excess of 47,000 ft IRC

Keith