Category Archives: Fighterbomber

Fighterbomber

Fighterbomber, Projects

Blohm & Voss Bv P.193.01-01 (Planet, Resin)

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TYPE: Ground attack fighter, dive bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Junkers Jumo 213A inline engine, rated at 1,750 hp

PERFORMANCE: 354 mph, estimated

COMMENT: Independent from each other the design teams of Blohm & Voss, Dornier and Focke-Wulf worked on projects with mid-mounted engines, driving pusher propellers via a long extension shaft. By that the pilot had an excellent view and a wide field of fire. Furthermore it was possible as far as a night- or bad-weather fighter was concerned to install a radar equipment. Dornier worked on the projects Do P.247 and Do 252 and Focke-Wulf on the Fw P.0310251. The Blohm & Voss team designed a ground attack/dive bomber that was similar to the Bv 192.01-01. A Junkers Jumo 213A engine drove a three-bladed pusher propeller via a very long extension shaft and a single fin and rudder was mounted beneath the fuselage to protect the propeller during take-off and landing. The wing had a straight leading edge and tapered trailing edge and a tricycle undercarriage was provided. The armament consisted of two MK 103 30mm cannon in the wings and two MG 151/20 20mm cannon on the nose sides. A bomb load up to 1,000 kg could be carried (Ref.: 17, 18).

Fighter, Fighterbomber

Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-9, “Dora 9” (Dragon)

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TYPE: Interceptor and fighter-bomber

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Junkers Jumo 213A-1 liquid-cooled engine, rated at 2,240 hp (with MW 50)

PERFORMANCE: 426 mph at 21,653 ft

COMMENT: The Focke-Wulf Fw 190, perhaps the most successful of Germany’s wartime fighters, was subjected to continuous development in order to keep pace with the rapidly changing requirements of the air war. Before the type had entered wide-spread service in its initial form work on adapting the basic frame to take liquid-cooled engines and improving the high-altitude capabilities was being undertaken by the Focke-Wulf design team, led by Prof. K. Tank. Work on three high-altitude interceptor variants powered by liquid-cooled engines was inaugurated almost simultaneously. The first of these was the Fw 190B with the Daimler-Benz DB 603 engine, this being followed by the similarly powered Fw 190C which featured an extended wing spanning, and the Fw 190Dm powered by the Junkers Jumo 213. The last-mentioned type proved easily most effective of the trio, development of the B- and C-series eventually being abandoned in its favour. The first prototypes began flight trial in early 1942 and shows spectacular performance. Small batches of pre-production Fw 190D-0’s and production Fw 190D-1 for service evaluation were delivered and tested during summer 1943. The Fw 190D-1 was not manufactured in large numbers, the first major production model being the Fw 190D-9 (nicknamed “Dora”; or “Langnasen-Dora” (“Long-Nose Dora“). For some unexplained reasons no sub-series suffix numerals between D-1 and D-9 were allocated, and the Fw 190D-9 was the only D-series fighter intended solely for the interception role. While these “long nose” versions gave them parity with Allied opponents, it arrived far too late in the war to have any real effect. The early production Fw 190D-9 shown here is fitted with original style cockpit canopy, most “Dora-9” fighters having a blown hood (Ref.: 11).

Fighterbomber, Projects

Blohm & Voss Bv P.192.01-01 (Planet, Resin)

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TYPE: Ground attack and dive bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One Daimler Benz DB 603G liquid-cooled engine, rated at 1,750 hp

PERFORMANCE: No data available

COMMENT:  This project of a ground attack and dive bomber was one of the most unusual designs of Dr. Vogt and his team. The front part including the cockpit was completely separate from the fuselage and only held by two booms projecting from the wing leading edge. A Daimler Benz DB 603 engine, located mid-fuselage immediately behind the cockpit, drove a four-bladed propeller rotating around the fuselage. The wing had a straight leading edge and was pronounced taper on the trailing edge. The aircraft had a tricycle landing gear and was heavily armed with two MG 151/20 20mm cannon located in the nose and two MG 151/20 20mm cannon located in the twin booms that held the front part. Also up to 500 kg bomb load could be carried. This project was never realized (Ref.: 17, 18).

Fighterbomber

Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a Sturmvogel (Stormbird) (Matchbox) with SC 1000 high explosive bomb (Hermann) on Deichselschlepp (tow-bar) (Airmodel)

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TYPE: Fighter bomber

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet engines, rated at 900 kp thrust each

PERFORMANCE: 530 mph at 9,800 ft

COMMENT: The fighter-bomber version of the Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe (Swallow) received the appellation Stormbird (Sturmvogel) to distinguish it from those aircraft completed purely as interceptors. It was Hitler’s explicit desire to use this aircraft as a fighter-bomber incomprehensible to the manufacturer. Deliveries of that subtype, now called Messerschmitt Me 262A-2a, began in July 1944. It differed from the Me 262A-1a interceptor fighter solely in having bomb fusing equipment and a pair of pylons side-by-side beneath the fuselage nose, forward of the undercarriage wells. These could be either of the ETC 504 type or of so-called “Wikingerschiff” (“Viking ships”) type, and proposed loads included a single SB 1000 bomb, or two SC 500 bombs, and derivate types, respectively. An unconventional approach was provided by a towed bomb, SC 1000 or SC 500 fitted with a wooden wing and towed by means of a 20-ft tube rigidly attached to the bomb. The tow-bar was attached beneath the tail by means of a swivel joint permitting horizontal and vertical motion, and the wires to detonate the explosive bolts, by which the bomb and its wing were separately jettisoned, passed through the tube. For take-off a two-wheel dolly was fitted to the bomb, this being jettisoned by means of an explosive bolt once aircraft and bomb were airborne. Additionally two Rheinmetall Borsig R 109-502 solid-fuel rockets were attached to the aircraft for assisted take-off. In early 1945 trials were done with the Me 262 V10. With the bomb on tow the speed of the Me 262 was reduced to some 320-330 mph. Furthermore, due to the high lift coefficient of the auxiliary wing the bomb began to porpoise, the motion was transmitted to the aircraft causing uncontrollable flight and the pilot was forced to bail out. Eventually it was concluded that the towed bomb concept was too hazardous and further tests were cancelled (Ref.: 7).

Fighter, Fighterbomber, Projects

Lippisch Li P.11 (Planet, Resin)

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TYPE: Heavy fighter, fighter bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet engines, rated at 1.100 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 646 mph

COMMENT: In the late summer of 1942, Lippisch’s team was working on the twin-jet bomber project under designation Lippisch Li P.11. When the RLM gave priority to the Horten Ho IX (Ho 229, Gotha Go 229), all work was stopped on the Li P.11. One year later, the RLM reissued an official contract with Prof. Lippisch to develop a “Very Fast Bomber” that was based on Lippisch’s earlier research. The project was renamed “Delta VI” upon completion of design work on an unpowered glider, which was to serve as the initial prototype. The RLM bestowed the highest priority on producing a fighter version and ordered to construct models, mock-ups, wind tunnel research, and made ready for production. By February 1944, design work for the proposed fighter, fighter-bomber and heavy fighter was nearly complete. The wing was swept back at 37 degrees, and the low wing loading promised a good climb capability and excellent maneuverability. Dr. Lippisch hoped to commence flight tests with the unpowered glider by April 1944, with the two Jumo 004B turbojet powered version to be flying by July 1944. The center section of the unpowered glider Delta VI was captured by American troops at Salzburg, this being the only part of the aircraft to be completed (Ref. 16, 23).

Fighter, Fighterbomber, Projects

Blohm & Voss Bv P. 204 with Blohm & Voss Bv 246 “Hagelkorn” (Hailstone) (Airmodel, Vacu formed)

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TYPE: Ground attack aircraft, dive bomber. Project.

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: One BMW 301D radial engine, rated at 1,870 hp and one BMW 003A-1 turbojet engine, rated at 900 kp

PERFORMANCE: 472 mph

COMMENT: This asymmetric mixed-propulsion ground attack aircraft and dive bomber was designed by Dr. Richard Vogt, Chief engineer of the Blohm & Voss Aircraft Company. The wing was of an unswept, rectangular shape with taper and dihedral on the outer wing panels. The fuselage was slightly offset to the starboard side, to balance the BMW 003A or Heinkel He S 011 turbojet that was slung beneath the port wing. A BMW 801 D radial engine also provided power, this being located in the nose of the fuselage. The tail plane was located forward of the vertical tail on a stepped section of the fin. A conventional landing gear design was chosen for the BV P.204, with the tailwheel retracting backwards into the rear fuselage, while the mail wheels retracted outwards into the wing. Armament consisted of two MG 151/20 20mm cannon with 250 rounds of ammunition located ahead of the cockpit firing through the propeller and two MG 151/20 20mm cannon mounted in the wings firing outside of the propeller arc. There was a provision to mount two MK 103 30mm cannon with 70 rounds of ammunition beneath the wings also. For highly defended targets a Blohm & Voss Bv 246 “Hagelkorn” (“Hailstone”) missile, an automatic guided glide bomb, could be carried externally under the fuselage (Ref.: 16).

Fighterbomber, Projects

Blohm & Voss Bv P. 163.02 (RS Models, Resin)

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TYPE: Heavy fighter bomber. Project.

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of five

POWER PLANT: One BMW 803, a combination of two BMW 801 radial engines, coupled back to back, rated at 3,847 hp, driving three-bladed contra-rotating propellers

PERFORMANCE: 354 mph

COMMENT: This very unorthodox Blohm & Voss design of a single-engine heavy attack bomber dates back to 1942. Basic concept was the construction of a heavy aircraft around the most powerful engines available in Germany at that time. Two versions were proposed to the RLM differing primarily in the power units.  While the Bv P. 163.01 was powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 613C liquid-cooled engine, a side-by-side arrangement of two DB 603G engines, rated together at 3,800 hp, the Bv P. 163.02 was to be powered by a BMW 803 engine, a back-to-back combination of two BMW 801 radial engines, rated at 3,850 hp. All engines drove three-blades, contra-rotating propellers. Very unusual were the location of the cockpits for crew-members. The pilot and navigator/radio operator sat in a nacelle located at the extreme end of port wing, with a rear gunner in a turret with two twin mounted MG 151 15mm machine guns to the rear. Another nacelle was located on the starboard wingtip and was manned by two gunners, one firing a machine gun forward from the front and a second from turret on the top of the nacelle, the other gunner sat in a turret at the rear, also with two machine guns. The bomb-bay was located mid-fuselage, over-load bombs could be carried under wing-root mounted racks. In order to test this unusual arrangement an asymmetrical Blohm & Voss Bv 141 was equipped with a second cockpit installed on the wingtip, the controls coupled with those in the main cockpit. The results showed that this arrangement warranted no advantage and the projects were cancelled (Ref.: 17).

Fighter, Fighterbomber, Projects

Messerschmitt Me P. 1101/99 (Unicraft)

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TYPE: Fighter, ground-attack fighter, destroyer. Project

ACCOMMODFATION: Pilot and observer

POWER PLANT: Four Heinkel-Hirth HeS 011 turbo-engines, rated at 1,300 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 567 mph

COMMENT: The design of another Messerschmitt P.1101 project series, the P.1101/99, dates back to mid 1944. The wings were swept back at 45 degrees, with four Heinkel-Hirth He S 011 turbojets, were buried in the thickened wing roots. Each pair of turbojets was fed by an air intake in the leading edge of the wing. The main landing gear retracted inwards into the fuselage, and the front gear retracted backwards beneath the cockpit. A two man crew sat staggered side-by-side in the cockpit, which was located in the extreme nose of the aircraft. Armament consisted of one 75 mm PaK 40 cannon (PanzerabwehrKanone, anti-tank gun) in the nose and five MK 112 55mm machine cannon, one in the right wing root, four in the center fuselage firing obliquely upwards (Schräge Musik, Oblique or Jazz Music). It was expected that the prototype would be in the air by 1948.  Because of the worsening war situation in Germany, the design did not progress past the drawing board (Ref.: 16).

Fighter, Fighterbomber, Projects

Messerschmitt Me P. 1101/92 (Unicraft, Resin)

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TYPE: Heavy fighter, destroyer. Project.

ACCOMODATION: Pilot and Observer

POWER PLANT: Two Heinkel-Hirth HeS 011 turbojet engines, rated at 1,300 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 558 mph

COMMENT: Early in 1944, Messerschmitt undertook various design studies as part of the P.1101 project series. These designs had high speeds as their underlying concept and included aircraft with swing wings that could reach up to a 60 degree sweep back. The most famous of these projects and the one that almost reached flight testing was the Messerschmitt Me P.1101 V1. Among the Messerschmitt project studies was the Me P.1101/92 heavy fighter and destroyer, which was designed to carry a huge 75mm (3 inch) cannon as its main armament.  The Me P.1101/92 had a mid-fuselage mounted wing swept back at 40 degrees. Slung beneath each wing was a single Heinkel-Hirth HeS 011 turbojet engine, each developing 1300 kp of thrust. A V tail was mounted in the rear, and a tricycle landing gear arrangement was chosen. The two man crew sat staggered side-by-side. Armament consisted of the single large BK 7.5 cm cannon in the nose, offset to the right side of the aircraft. As a result of production and delivery problems of the engine manufacturer and the imminent collapse of the “Third Reich”, all further development was stopped (Ref.: 16).

Fighter, Fighterbomber, Projects

Blohm & Voss Bv P.203.01 (Unicraft, Resin)

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TYPE: Long-range fighter, fighter-bomber. Project

ACCOMMODATION: Crew of two

POWER PLANT: Two BMW 801D radial engines, rated at 1,750 hp each and two Junkers Jumo 003 turbo-jet engines, rated at 880 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 571 mph

COMMENT: This Blohm & Voss project from 1944 was designed as a general purpose/long-range fighter. The wing was straight and unswept, with the section between the two engine nacelles being thicker and having increased chord, to house the main wheels of the tricycle landing gear. Two BMW 801D radial engines were mounted at the forward end of the nacelles, and two Junkers Jumo 004 turbo-jet engines were located in the rear of the nacelles. Provision was made for use of other turbo-jet engines, e.g. BMW 003 (Bv P. 203.2) and Heinkel-Hirth HeS 011 (Bv P. 203.03) The aircraft was heavily armed including a remotely controlled twin MG 131 13mm machine guns in the tail firing to the rear. Due to the “Jägernotprogramm” (Fighter-emergency-programme) all work was cancelled (Ref: 23)