Dornier Do 335

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_335

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil ("Arrow") was a World War II heavy fighter built by the
Dornier company. The two-seater trainer version was also called Ameisenbär
("anteater"). The Pfeil's performance was much better than other twin-engine
designs due to its unique "push-pull" layout and the much lower aerodynamic drag
of the in-line alignment of the two engines. It was Germany's fastest
piston-engined aircraft of World War II.[2][page needed] The Luftwaffe was
desperate to get the design into operational use, but delays in engine
deliveries meant only a handful were delivered before the war ended.

The first 10 Do 335 A-0s were delivered for testing in May. By late 1944, the Do
335 A-1 was on the production line. This was similar to the A-0 but with the
uprated DB 603 E-1 engines and two underwing hardpoints for additional bombs,
drop tanks or guns. It was capable of a maximum speed of 763 km/h (474 mph) at
6,500 m (21,300 ft) with MW 50 boost, or 686 km/h (426 mph) without boost, and
able to climb to 8,000 m (26,250 ft) in under 15 minutes. Even with one engine
out, it could reach about 563 km/h (350 mph).


Role
Fighter-bomber

Manufacturer
Dornier Flugzeugwerke

First flight
26 October 1943

Introduction
1944

Retired
1945

Status
Retired

Primary user
Luftwaffe

Produced
1944–1945

Number built
37


Delivery commenced in January 1945. When the United States Army overran the
Oberpfaffenhofen factory in late April 1945, only 11 Do 335 A-1 single-seat
fighter-bombers and two Do 335 A-12 trainers had been completed.

French ace Pierre Clostermann claimed the first Allied combat encounter with a
Pfeil in April 1945. In his book The Big Show (pp. 273–274) he describes leading
a flight of four Hawker Tempests from No. 3 Squadron RAF over northern Germany,
when he intercepted a lone Do 335 flying at maximum speed at treetop level.
Detecting the British aircraft, the German pilot reversed course to evade.
Despite the Tempest's considerable low altitude speed, the Royal Air Force
fighters were not able to catch up or even get into firing position.

Specifications (Do 335 A-1)

General characteristics
Crew: 1, pilot
Length: 13.85 m (45 ft 5 in)
Wingspan: 13.8 m (45 ft 1 in)
Height: 4.55 m (15 ft)
Wing area: 38.5 m² (414 ft²)
Empty weight: 7,400 kg (16,314 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 9,600 kg (21,164 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603A 12-cylinder inverted engines, 1,750 PS
(1,287 kW, 1,726 hp) each

Performance
Maximum speed: 765 km/h (474 mph)
Service ceiling: 11,400 m (37,400 ft)

Armament

1 × 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 103 cannon (as forward engine-mounted Motorkanone)
2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cowl-mount, synchronized autocannons
Up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bombload




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In article , Miloch says...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_335

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil ("Arrow") was a World War II heavy fighter built by the
Dornier company. The two-seater trainer version was also called Ameisenbär
("anteater"). The Pfeil's performance was much better than other twin-engine
designs due to its unique "push-pull" layout and the much lower aerodynamic drag
of the in-line alignment of the two engines. It was Germany's fastest
piston-engined aircraft of World War II.[2][page needed] The Luftwaffe was
desperate to get the design into operational use, but delays in engine
deliveries meant only a handful were delivered before the war ended.

The first 10 Do 335 A-0s were delivered for testing in May. By late 1944, the Do
335 A-1 was on the production line. This was similar to the A-0 but with the
uprated DB 603 E-1 engines and two underwing hardpoints for additional bombs,
drop tanks or guns. It was capable of a maximum speed of 763 km/h (474 mph) at
6,500 m (21,300 ft) with MW 50 boost, or 686 km/h (426 mph) without boost, and
able to climb to 8,000 m (26,250 ft) in under 15 minutes. Even with one engine
out, it could reach about 563 km/h (350 mph).

Interesting youtube vid of it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK8ydLY5QHQ




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