AR 234 Addition

[sgtdeaux]

This one is really simple..
The rear aiming periscope for the 20mm cannons on the AR234 is already modeled into the cockpit of the bomber.. it would be really nice if one was able to access this feature to aim the cannons therefore turning them into an acutal defensive weapon as opposed to a excess weight.
Perhaps have the zoom feature from the cockpit access the veiw simular to the way f6 accesses the bomb sight.
Thank you.
-sgt paul deaux

[RAIDER14]

First of all thankyou for bringing up the Arado:aok

I would like  to share this pic of a arado with 4 engines:huh

yes I said 4 engines
http://www.flugplatzloennewitz.de/Arado2.jpg

http://www.luftwaffepics.com/lar2343.htm

I believe thats enough evidents:) .

[sgtdeaux]

Awsome picture..
Ive seen some black and whites of this model before and just slobbered over them... we can only dream.

[mussie]

Someone said this before

why not just make a rear view for the ar234 and stick the bombing cross hair on it, make it key number two to switch to this view.

Just a thought

And while we are at it, give us the four engine version as a new pek bomber

[viper215]

Cool pics:aok . Yea it is hard to shoot with the back gun on the aroto and there were 4 engines on it. So why dont we have 4:huh  

[ahgod69]

I see a lot of research went into these posts.  first off, the rearward sites has been discussed and beaten like a dead horse for years.  I have been gone for 2 + years and it still isn't there and probably never will be.  Second, the 234C never saw combat, and if Ht were adding planes that were on the development boards/flight trials well we could have a ton of fun planes that were not used historically.   X-Wings are not WW2.

On a second thought on the gun sites though, that does seem like a good idea, but rather cartoonish if you ask me.  Reminds me of flying in that game that MS used to make.

[Larry]

Originally posted by ahgod69
Second, the 234C never saw combat

Not true.



"At around the same time two Ar 234 prototypes V5 and V7 were sent to the Luftwaffe reconnaissance unit Ob.d.L.1 to evaluate the aircraft in the field, the first operational flight being on the 2/8/1944 with flights over the Allied beachhead in Normandy.

It had all ways been hoped to find a better engine set up for the Arado 234 from the beginning and prototypes V6 and V8 were used to test the BMW 003 turbojet engine, which because it didn't make so much power as the Junkers engine was fitted two to a wing (separately for the V6 and in pairs for the V8). This work led in time to the Ar 234C which was to be the definitive production model
 
The AR 234C had a number of improvements a better pressurized cockpit, larger wheels, two 20mm cannons (firing to the rear) it was intended to make a number of versions of this aircraft Reconnaissance, Bomber, Ground Attack, Night Fighter and Formation Command, altogether only 19 production Ar 234C's (as well as thirteen C model prototypes V19-V31) were made out of the order for 2,500 aircraft along with around 200 of the Ar 234B. A number of new wing and cockpit designs were ready to be tested by the wars end, the V16 with variably swepted wings and the V30 with a two man cockpit."

[lasersailor184]

Does that mean wings like a Tomcat?  Or just angled back?

[hammer]

Originally posted by Larry

"At around the same time two Ar 234 prototypes V5 and V7 were sent to the Luftwaffe reconnaissance unit Ob.d.L.1 to evaluate the aircraft in the field, the first operational flight being on the 2/8/1944 with flights over the Allied beachhead in Normandy.

It had all ways been hoped to find a better engine set up for the Arado 234 from the beginning and prototypes V6 and V8 were used to test the BMW 003 turbojet engine, which because it didn't make so much power as the Junkers engine was fitted two to a wing (separately for the V6 and in pairs for the V8). This work led in time to the Ar 234C which was to be the definitive production model
 
  [/B]

Note it says prototype V5 and V7 (2 engine models) flew the sorties. Prototypes V6 and V8 tested a lower powered jet engine in pairs (4 engined models).  Every report of an operational sortie I have read about has indicated the b (2 engine) model.

[Larry]

Iv seen videos of the  BMW 234 taking off with bombs straped on was that one going to make a test flight with bombs on?

[ahgod69]

Originally posted by Larry
Not true.



"At around the same time two Ar 234 prototypes V5 and V7 were sent to the Luftwaffe reconnaissance unit Ob.d.L.1 to evaluate the aircraft in the field, the first operational flight being on the 2/8/1944 with flights over the Allied beachhead in Normandy.

It had all ways been hoped to find a better engine set up for the Arado 234 from the beginning and prototypes V6 and V8 were used to test the BMW 003 turbojet engine, which because it didn't make so much power as the Junkers engine was fitted two to a wing (separately for the V6 and in pairs for the V8). This work led in time to the Ar 234C which was to be the definitive production model
 
The AR 234C had a number of improvements a better pressurized cockpit, larger wheels, two 20mm cannons (firing to the rear) it was intended to make a number of versions of this aircraft Reconnaissance, Bomber, Ground Attack, Night Fighter and Formation Command, altogether only 19 production Ar 234C's (as well as thirteen C model prototypes V19-V31) were made out of the order for 2,500 aircraft along with around 200 of the Ar 234B. A number of new wing and cockpit designs were ready to be tested by the wars end, the V16 with variably swepted wings and the V30 with a two man cockpit."

I am not saying it never saw combat persay but using prototypes as an example will not get it fielded.  Trust me I would love to see it, I can use the DO-335 as an example as well.  Combat Airman saw this plane flown, but details surrounding its usage was lost (Yes there were production machines for this line).  Prototypes are one thing, but actual production machines is another.  A case can be put up for numerous aircraft that fit this (criteria).  It's a beautiful plane, just won't make it in here.  

[Larry]

Originally posted by ahgod69
It's a beautiful plane, just won't make it in here.  

You havent heard about the 3 gun la7 then I guess. No more then 20 were made in the whole was and its in here AND its not even perked.

[ahgod69]

Originally posted by Larry
You havent heard about the 3 gun la7 then I guess. No more then 20 were made in the whole was and its in here AND its not even perked.

Larry,

I have been on this board for many years, and have seen everything from when it first started, well within 5 tours of first starting.  The La-7 controversy has been around for years, along with the D-9, G-10, P-47's, A-5'S, Spits's, 234.  They have been around, the one thing I was surprised to see when I came back after being absentee was the 190 F-8 having rockets.  I posted numerous sources, pictures, data.  And it finally made it in, just took awhile.  


Not sure who said they only made 20 of the 3 cannon model but I have different sources that state there were far more made then 20.  Past memory fails me but I will look it up.

[Flayed1]

I don't intend to try to hijack this thread but I see so many arguements over how many of what LA7 was made so I found this site about the la7  enjoy.
  Lavochkin La-7
   

  �_home  â—�lavochkin history  LaGG-3  La-5  La-9

Лавочкин Ла-7

 
     The La-7 was a development of the La-5, which was very similar in appearance. It was fitted with a 1850hp (1380Kw) Shvetsov radial engine. Armament was increased to three ShVak 20mm cannons. The oil radiator was moved to the lower center of the fuselage. The La-7 had an increase in speed of about 10-15mph over the La-5. Due to the improvements it was preferred by many Soviet Aces for its speed, maneuverability, firepower and general performance. The La-7 prototype first flew in early 1944.

The La-7 was about 44mph faster than the FW-190 (its main nemesis).

Although the La-7 was initially designed with the three-cannon arrangement, only about 368 were delivered in this configuration, compared with more than 3000 two-cannon La-7's delivered.

The first operational unit to receive the new fighter was the 176th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment in July 1944.

The La-7 scored 55 victories in the 63rd Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment between September 15th and October 15th 1944.

The La-7 ended service for the Soviets in 1947.

 
Lavochkin La-7    
 
Powerplant    1380kW (1850hp) M-82FN (Ash-82FN) 14-cylinder radial engine
Max Speed    665km/h (413mph) at 5,000m (16,404ft)
Ceiling    10,800m (35,435ft)
Max Range    635km (395 miles)
Wing Span    9.8m (32ft 1in)
Length    8.6m (28ft 2in)
Height    2.54m (8ft 4in)
Empty Weight    2,638kg (5,816lb)
Max Weight    3,400kg (7,496lb)
Armament    3x 20mm Beresin B-20 ShVak nose cannons* (with 200 rounds per gun)
6x 8.2cm (3.23in) RS-82 rockets, or
100kg of bombs.

*Only about 368 left the factory with this armament.

�_home  â—�lavochkin history  LaGG-3  La-5  La-9

  Oh and on topic I would love to be able to aim those #$@#$ guns in the 234 even as it is now I can hardly see the tracers to tell where the rounds are going.

[cav58d]

Totally flaming this one........ADD THE b-29!