Dornier Do 335

[Ack-Ack]

The last surviving example, Do 335A-0 VG+PH, seen after restoration by Dornier.


ack-ack

[Wmaker]

No, other than that one report of the Tempest encountering a low flying Do 335, there are no other reports of Allied planes (both Western and Soviet) encountering one in the sky. 

There's also an account where a Do335 was seen by the P-51s of the 325th FG of the 15th AF over southern Germany.

[Karnak]

It is funny how some German aircraft fans will say that the preproduction Do335 warrants being added as Allied fighters got within sight of it a couple of times, yet the full production, in service, actually shot at Germans and was shot at Meteor Mk III isn't because it neither shot down a German aircraft nor was shot down by one.

[Lusche]

It is funny how some German aircraft fans will say that the preproduction Do335 warrants being added as Allied fighters got within sight of it a couple of times, yet the full production, in service, actually shot at Germans and was shot at Meteor Mk III isn't because it neither shot down a German aircraft nor was shot down by one.

Are that really one and the same people?

[humble]

There are roughly 8-10 reports from various sources. A couple of the D0-335's were used in ground attack roles as part of the evaluation and I've seen the reports for those flights on the web multiple places. Also one account from same test pilot of being attacked by a pair of "P-39's" during a test flight. I've also seen to soviet accounts translated to English. There is also a picture of a D0-335 fitted out with ords that goes with the test flight. Again the plane did not see organized combat and was not ever operationally deployed that I know of but nothing flew for long in the last 4-5 months of the war without running into allied iron somewhere. Reason it was never deployed was the factory tooling was destroyed just before production was to start and politics delayed any choice of new production facility.

[Boozeman]

It is funny how some German aircraft fans will say that the preproduction Do335 warrants being added as Allied fighters got within sight of it a couple of times, yet the full production, in service, actually shot at Germans and was shot at Meteor Mk III isn't because it neither shot down a German aircraft nor was shot down by one.

If we are honest, both planes are not that far away from each other in terms of actual deployment, or, to be more precise, the results of the deployment. Both planes cannot claim a scalp of another aircraft, altough both planes did fly in a warzone. Now that the Meteor was fired upon (by AA?), and the 335 not (maybe engaging fighters could not get into gun range?) is that such a radical, black or white difference? I think it's rahter different shades of grey. It's also funny that both planes were hampered by political decisions - the meteor for not being used more agressively, the Do-335 not being pushed aggressively enough into full scale deployment.

That being said, the Meteor should be added first in any case, but I would not basically rule out a 335. Yes, it's extremely borderline, but, in dubio pro reo.     

[Karnak]

Meteor was in full production, in full squadron strength and firing its guns in anger at German positions.

Do335 was a preproduction prototype on trial flights.

[Boozeman]

Meteor was in full production, in full squadron strength and firing its guns in anger at German positions.

Do335 was a preproduction prototype on trial flights.

I have to disagree on the prototype part. It had a limited procuction run, but production none the less. It was not a one-off.
And, if a trial flight is getting intercepted in anger, does that not qualify for combat?

[MiloMorai]

I have to disagree on the prototype part. It had a limited procuction run, but production none the less. It was not a one-off.
And, if a trial flight is getting intercepted in anger, does that not qualify for combat?

With that logic, since all of Germany was a combat zone, then any a/c the Germans had flying should be in the game.

The Do 335s produced were versuchs and preproduction a/c.

[Lusche]

I have to disagree on the prototype part. It had a limited procuction run, but production none the less. It was not a one-off.
And, if a trial flight is getting intercepted in anger, does that not qualify for combat?

Because it was a trial flight. True serial production didn't commence, no 335s in any form of regular duty.

[humble]

Again here we are in a bit of a grey zone. The D0-335 is totally inappropriate for any scenario and certainly not correct historically. However if we view this as a WW2 era combat simulator vs a reenactment then it really becomes a question of having the raw data to accurately model the plane and having the desire to do so. I certainly wouldn't put it in front of numerous planes that have either strong historical (scenario) use like the Ki-43, LaGG-3, D4Y (Judy), Tu-2 {to name a few of many} or late war planes like the G.55/A-26/P-63 that were true production models (and yes the P-63 was flying in full squadron strength over Poland/Germany from late 44 onward....regardless of the lack of western documentation.

[Bronk]

With that logic, since all of Germany was a combat zone, then any a/c the Germans had flying should be in the game.

The Do 335s produced were versuchs and preproduction a/c.

Since the entire pacific was a combat zone.... well ... you know. 

[Infidelz]

With that logic, since all of Germany was a combat zone, then any a/c the Germans had flying should be in the game.

<SNIP>

This was my point exactly anything in livery was in a combat zone

Infidelz

[Karnak]

Being in a combat zone is not the same as being in combat.

[Boozeman]

Being in a combat zone is not the same as being in combat.

Would you consider Clostermann's report as combat or not? If not, why?