New thread F7F Tigercat vs P38 Lightning vs deHaviland Hornet vs P82 Twin Mustang

[Readie]

I think the Luftwaffe realized the value of both the Fw-187 and He-100. But DB601 engine production didn't catch up with demand until about 1942. Not much point in producing fighter airframes without engines to power them.

If the DB601 had been produced on the same scale as the Jumo211 engine early on the situation would be entirely changed. It's possible the Fw-190 might even have been powered by a DB601 / DB605 engine.

My sources indicate that both were rejected by the LW. I would agree that they were typically German cutting edge machines and deserved better.
I'm not sure that the engine production was an influencing factor in the LW's decision.
Bear in mind that the LW was the blitzkreig arm of the German forces. Hence my comment about no need for these planes. Maybe as WW2 progressed the bosses in the LW rued their earlier decision.
Who knows?
cheers
John

 

[davebender]

What else could the Luftwaffe do if there were no engines to power the He-100 and Fw-187?

 

[Readie]

What else could the Luftwaffe do if there were no engines to power the He-100 and Fw-187?

Build more?
Even someone as short sighted as Goering must have been able to see the advantages these aircraft held.
I think I'm right in saying that there is a connection between the He100 and the Spitfire.

 

[Milosh]

I'm not confident the relatively small Fw-187 airframe could handle 4,000 total hp. But the power to weight ratio would be awesome for a piston engine aircraft!

Why not as the small 109 used a 2000hp engine?

 

[davebender]

U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey Aircraft Division Industry Report
I agree but that's not what happened historically. RLM didn't decide to expand DB601 engine production at Genshagen (primary DB601 plant) until 1940. It takes about two years for a major factory expansion to produce results. By 1942 RLM had decided the Fw-190 with BMW801 radial engine was a better bet then the DB601 powered He-100 and Fw-187.

 

[Readie]

U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey Aircraft Division Industry Report
I agree but that's not what happened historically. RLM didn't decide to expand DB601 engine production at Genshagen (primary DB601 plant) until 1940. It takes about two years for a major factory expansion to produce results. By 1942 RLM had decided the Fw-190 with BMW801 radial engine was a better bet then the DB601 powered He-100 and Fw-187.

Interesting Dave, thanks for the information. The Germans missed a trick it seems.
Cheers
John

 

[spicmart]

I'm not confident the relatively small Fw-187 airframe could handle 4,000 total hp. But the power to weight ratio would be awesome for a piston engine aircraft!

Mr. davebender, why should it not? Its airframe is as small as the Hornet's which has two 2000+ engines.

 

[woljags]

Luftwaffe Resource Center - A Warbirds Resource Group Site - Focke Wulf Fw 187

found this on the internet if anyone wants some info on the fw187

 

[drgondog]

A couple of points about the P-82. It had a couple of long distance records including Hawaii to New York - 14 hours/33 minutes in 1946 - 5051 miles. I believe it wins on range.

The P-82B/E could install a droppable mount of 8x50, (400rpg) to add to the 6x50, 400 rpg. 14x50 cal is right up there in Interceptor role

Although the initial production run was 1650-9 and -11 for counter rotating props, the subsequent models all had Allisons

IIRC it had one air to air skirmish with five La 7, Yak 9 and Yak 11' s shooting down one Yak 11 and two La 7s in air combat with no losses so the airplane could manuever pretty well - and had awesome firepower in CAS until Air Defense Command yanked them from FEAF.

In the escort role it could go to Moscow from London, loiter for 30 minutes, fly at 40K to stay with B-36, and return.

It was an interesting derivative of the XP-51J and the 51H used (most) design features/designs of the XP-82.

I suspect the Hornet and The F7F could outturn the P-82 - and probably the P-38J - but I wonder what the centerbody wing/counter rotation props and very clean aerodynamics would mean to reduce high AoA profile drag in high G.