Author Topic: uber prototypes (Read 380 times)

touchy · « **on:** January 31, 2002, 11:53:14 AM »

A few days ago someone posted a message about the p38k, I think it was. There was only one prototype ever made. Not being much of a WWII aviation buff I was wondering what other super prototypes are out there that you'd love to try even if they never made it into production during the war. Any information about them would also be appreciated. Personally I'd like to see some competition for the me262, the gloster meteor perhaps? I believe these made it into service.

Airscrew · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2002, 11:56:54 AM »

I want a cloaking device like in the Philadelphia Experiment for my C47....mmhhaaaaa

Tac · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2002, 12:35:31 PM »

The german Gotha 229. Search for it in Yahoo. Incredible concept.

Furious · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2002, 12:43:51 PM »

mmmm gotha 229 mmmmmm

f.

Wilbus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2002, 01:04:14 PM »

hehehe Tac, good choice

I have it (only one page, not much info about this incredible bird) in my book about LW planes. Top Speed 607 Mph at 39,370 feet , initial climb rate 4,330 feet/minute, cealing, 52,493 feet (pretty exact numbers in the book), range on internal fuel 1,180 miles, with DT's, 1,970 miles.

Weight Empty but equiped, 10,141lb, max weight, 19,841lb.

Armemnt, 4xMk103 or Mk108 30mm cannons + 2x1000kg (2,250lbs) bombs. That gives it more bombs then the B26.

It was allso capeble of outturning most other fighters.

Another plane that would be nice, saw service but never action, might only have been service with test squadrons though, is the Do335.

Check LW "X" PLanes for more nice things

SirLoin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2002, 01:11:22 PM »

I believe a few 335's did make it to action..Dont remember what it's stats wre except they were uber..

funkedup · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2002, 02:08:57 PM »

B-42 Mixmaster
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/bombers/b4/b4-2.htm

Wilbus · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2002, 02:13:35 PM »

Cooool SirLoin, if you find more information about it, please let me know, one of my favorite birds!

K West · « **Reply #8 on:** January 31, 2002, 02:57:28 PM »

Northrop was ahead of Gothz with the flying wing concept by years.

Whitworth of the UK too:

GO-229 vs P-79 and AW-52 which are escorting B-49's?

Westy

Wilbus · « **Reply #9 on:** January 31, 2002, 03:02:25 PM »

Doubt they had the performance at the end of the war that the GO229 did though

Do you have any specs for them?

K West · « **Reply #10 on:** January 31, 2002, 03:18:22 PM »

For starters the Allies weren't in the desperate situation the Germans or Japanses found themselves in so starting in 1944 development and production needs were being cut to the bone as the development of these planes did not have the same urgency that the Axis were faced with.

In all honesty the Gotha never performed as good as you imply it did either. It flew what, once? And those performance specs you give are theoretical and pure guess-timates because the plane never got to 600+mph, it never flew to 50k feet nor did it carry any armament.

I'll see if I can find the specs anyway for the sake of comparison.

Westy

Karnak · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2002, 05:36:26 PM »

The following aircraft all flew in prototype form before the end of the war:

Germany:

Arado Ar234C
Henschel Hs132
Messerschmitt Me263
Messerschmitt Me264

Japan:

Kyushu J7W1 Shinden
Nakajima Kikka
Nakajima G8N Renzan (Rita)

UK:

DeHaviland Hornet
DeHaviland Vampire
Hawker Fury

US:

P-38K
P-80A Shooting Star

VVS:

Yak-3 with the VK-107 engine

_____________________________ ___________________

The following aircraft all flew in limited production numbers, many not seeing combat:

Germany:

Dornier Do335 Pfiel
Heinkel He 162
Messerschmitt Me163

Japan:

Mitsubishi A7M2 Reppu (Sam)

UK:

Avro Lincoln MkI
Gloster Meteor F.MkIII
Supermarine Spitfire F.21

US:

F7F Tigercat
F8F Bearcat
P-51H Mustang

funkedup · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2002, 06:56:21 PM »

P-80A was in mass production during the war too. The first one was accepted in Feb. 45.

Four YP-80A were in service in Europe at the end of 1944. Two of them crashed and the the other two flew operational sorties in the Med., althought they didn't encounter the enemy.

Karnak · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2002, 06:57:29 PM »

Funkedup,

What I read said that those were both prototypes.

funkedup · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2002, 07:03:55 PM »

Karnak I think you posted while I was editing. The prototypes (YP-80A) flew missions in-theater during winter 44-45, and the production versions (P-80A) were coming off the line from Feb. 45 onward. They had similar reliability issues to the German jets but USAAF was not so desperate as the Luftwaffe. The reliable prop planes were killing the enemy just fine, so they didn't risk pilots' lives by issuing the jets widely.