Alternative German Fighters: Me-209, Me-309, He-100, etc.

[CharlesBronson]

On at least one occasion, Allied pilots spotted a Pfeil in the air over Germany and attempted to shoot it down, but the 335 simply flew away due to it's greatly superior speed

I also read that in the Pierre Clostermann book "The big show" ( Le grand Cirque), but knowing the novelesque stile of Clostermann I couldnt say that is 100 % true.

 

[Denniss]

Never heard of a wartime engagement with Do 335 but not impossible. AFAIK at least one Do 335 prototype served as recon aircraft from late 1944.

I only heard of a postwar speedrace with P-51 and a Do 335. Happened on a transfer flight to France and the Do 335 was twenty mínutes or so earlier on target than the two escorting P-51s.

 

[delcyros]

Originally Posted by Civettone View Post
Well, I don't want to get into detail on it but I do see a technical opportunity to raise a shield against bombers over Germany starting in the Spring of 1945, with the Luftwaffe regaining air superiority over Germany. A monthly production of 5000 Natters would make any incursion of allied bombers a massacre. It's not fail proof though ... never claimed it was. It's just an alternative scenario which starts with getting the maximum out of the German industry, releasing command to the army again and stopping the allied advance in Italy and Russia, and driving the Allies back in Normandy. Again, it's an alternative scenario and only makes sense as a whole. It's 66 pages so far. Will tell more about if anyone's interested.

I do not think this is a credible scenario. There are a couple of problems:
1.) how to produce 5.000 Natter a month? The whole projects would need to take place quarter an year earlier.
2.) how to fuel them? The Natter was dependent on rocket fuels produced in Hamburg. The plant was effectively bombed in oct. 44 and then again in february 45 (when it finally closed production).
3.) how to train crews? The Natter is rather a non-common behaior plane. It would require long time training to controll it. It is probably more dangerous to the pilots than to a bomber
4.) how to direct them against bombers? The Natter has absolutely NO fc techniques nor radio directioning. It rather has a pretty simple radioset from which the controller communicates to the pilot. If the pilot does not have extraordinary spacial awareness and visibility to the target, he will fail.

Refresh my memory regarding what remains to be destroyed in Germany by USAAF and RAF

Uhh, a lot. The economical infrastructure was overheated but still intact at wars end and production figures showed a growth factor. transportation in within Germany was not much of a problem due to the large degree of redundancy as long as it wasn´t occupied by advancing allied ground forces.

Then tell me how Germany solves the problem of long range, low level intrusions into German airfields and Transportation centers by P-51s, P-47s and P-38s?

drgondog points to a significant problem. Long range intrusion probably contributed more to disruption of communication than the whole strategic bombing campaign. I can hardly see that to be countered with the low fuel situation in early 1945. It would require standing patrols, which couldn´t be afforded by then.

No chance.

 

[Trautloft]

the Do-335 flies with superb characteristics in Il2Sturmovik, i dont know if its close to reality.

 

[CharlesBronson]

Interesting document in "Germany WW2 jet aces" of John Weal ( osprey aircraft of the aces series), the letter of dismissal of the He-280