delcyros
Tech Sergeant
Here we have several points.
First off, while it is true that desperate morale and shortness suffered Luftwaffe units in 1945 badly, Luftwaffe ground crews have been quite careful to new engines (esspecially on jet engines, check the aircraft picture album here...). There have been accidents also, but that´s not a surprise on pioneering techniques (also in Russia and the US).
To the Jumo engines: Actually I agree that tests under laboratory condition doesn´t reflect much the serial versions. That´s why I stated "lab-conditions". On the other hand, the technology difference between Jumo-004 B and 004 D is minimal (bigger air intake only), even the Jumo-004 E has only higher working temperature (and a slightly increase of the max rpm: 8900 instead of 8700 rpm) and a afterburner equipment. And it introduced a second variable jet needle (which never makes problems on the Jumo-004 B or at tests). The technology is still the tech of Jumo-004 B. I estimate that at least 30 % of the serial produced engines work properly. (comparable to Jumo-004 B)
the main problem have always been heat resistent metal for the hot surfaces. The Matprüf institution had a major break throgh in a heat resistent alloy of unrestricted metals at early 1945 for jet engine purposes. This would not take into effect for industrie prior to mid 1945 but afterwards it could enhence production quality in a bigger scale.
In my mind the biggest mistake in engine developing was the favouring of the complicated He-S011 jet engine, which was really complicated because it was a dual (axial and radial) engine. Had they focussed more on pure axial engines, the Jumo-004 H would have come to testing stage. The BMW 018 axial jet engine was the most powerful jet engine produced in 1944 (only tested on the ground, two prototypes destroyed unfortunately at an air attack in late 1944).
At least I really disagree in unimportance of jet tactics. This view would have cost US pilots badly. (actually they could manage to deal after a short time) German jet tactics not only included jet vs. bomber fights. Do not reduce it to interceptions. Climbing, acceleration and high speed manouvering proved to be keyfactors (I source in the moment reports of US escort fighters, trapped by Me-262 in march 1945). Tactics are even more important for high speed fighters than for prop driven planes (you need more airspace for manouvering). Look at Korea, tactics really made a difference there. The korean MiG´s have been easy prey for good trained UN pilots, even if they fly inferior planes. The soviet units incorporated german Me-262 tactics on the other hand have been a match.
On early P-80 vs. Me-262 encounters, it surely would have made an impact, but only a shortliving one (this has to be underlined).
First off, while it is true that desperate morale and shortness suffered Luftwaffe units in 1945 badly, Luftwaffe ground crews have been quite careful to new engines (esspecially on jet engines, check the aircraft picture album here...). There have been accidents also, but that´s not a surprise on pioneering techniques (also in Russia and the US).
To the Jumo engines: Actually I agree that tests under laboratory condition doesn´t reflect much the serial versions. That´s why I stated "lab-conditions". On the other hand, the technology difference between Jumo-004 B and 004 D is minimal (bigger air intake only), even the Jumo-004 E has only higher working temperature (and a slightly increase of the max rpm: 8900 instead of 8700 rpm) and a afterburner equipment. And it introduced a second variable jet needle (which never makes problems on the Jumo-004 B or at tests). The technology is still the tech of Jumo-004 B. I estimate that at least 30 % of the serial produced engines work properly. (comparable to Jumo-004 B)
the main problem have always been heat resistent metal for the hot surfaces. The Matprüf institution had a major break throgh in a heat resistent alloy of unrestricted metals at early 1945 for jet engine purposes. This would not take into effect for industrie prior to mid 1945 but afterwards it could enhence production quality in a bigger scale.
In my mind the biggest mistake in engine developing was the favouring of the complicated He-S011 jet engine, which was really complicated because it was a dual (axial and radial) engine. Had they focussed more on pure axial engines, the Jumo-004 H would have come to testing stage. The BMW 018 axial jet engine was the most powerful jet engine produced in 1944 (only tested on the ground, two prototypes destroyed unfortunately at an air attack in late 1944).
At least I really disagree in unimportance of jet tactics. This view would have cost US pilots badly. (actually they could manage to deal after a short time) German jet tactics not only included jet vs. bomber fights. Do not reduce it to interceptions. Climbing, acceleration and high speed manouvering proved to be keyfactors (I source in the moment reports of US escort fighters, trapped by Me-262 in march 1945). Tactics are even more important for high speed fighters than for prop driven planes (you need more airspace for manouvering). Look at Korea, tactics really made a difference there. The korean MiG´s have been easy prey for good trained UN pilots, even if they fly inferior planes. The soviet units incorporated german Me-262 tactics on the other hand have been a match.
On early P-80 vs. Me-262 encounters, it surely would have made an impact, but only a shortliving one (this has to be underlined).