The German arrow!

[pampa14]

Undoubtedly one of the fastest aircraft designed in Germany during World War II. I share with you tons of photos of the Dornier Do 335, including rare color images, in flight and many others, some never before seen by me, including photos with Allied markings. One question, had entered into service and produced on a large scale, what its impact on the war? What do you think? Visit the link below, see all the photos and answer the poll.


Aviação em Floripa: Do 335: A flecha da Luftwaffe


Best Regards!

 

[Old Wizard]

 

[airminded88]

Another case of too little-too late from the Germans.
Just like the Me262 it must have been an horrific sight for the big friends.

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff!

 

[pinsog]

I would hate to be in a B17 or B24 on the receiving end of that thing. On the other hand, I would hate to be in a DO335 on the receiving end from a P47 or P51. I think it would have been in serious trouble do to the number of American escorts in the air. It might evade the first dozen on sheer speed, but then the 2nd dozen would eventually swarm it and shoot it down.

 

[mikewint]

As was the case with all of the German "wonder" weapons. A Tiger could kill 20 Shermans before getting zapped itself and the Germans would still loose the encounter
French ace Pierre Clostermann claimed the first Allied combat encounter with a Pfeil in April 1945. In his book The Big Show he describes leading a flight of four Hawker Tempests 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 RAF fighters were not able to catch up or even get into firing position.
Only one Do 335 survives today. It was captured by Allied forces at the plant on 22 April 1945. The aircraft was test flown from a grass runway at Oberwiesenfeld, near Munich, to Cherbourg, France while escorted by two P-51s. The Do 335 was easily able to out distance the escorting Mustangs and arrived at Cherbourg 45 minutes before the P-51s.

 

[at6]

Great photos. Cockpit shots are fantastic for detailed views.

 

[GrauGeist]

22nd photo down, note the remains of the Me262s and a He162...

Great collection of photos!

(and I had a good laugh at the one "dislike"...)

 

[drgondog]

A 355th pilot Randolph Cooper reversed course when he spotted one near Magdeburg, caught up with him and got several API strikes, knocking pieces off, but the Do 335 made it to a cloud bank and disappeared. He did receive a Damage credit. This was April 4, 1945. When was Closterman's claim 'as first to encounter'??

 

[Shortround6]

Only one Do 335 survives today. It was captured by Allied forces at the plant on 22 April 1945. The aircraft was test flown from a grass runway at Oberwiesenfeld, near Munich, to Cherbourg, France while escorted by two P-51s. The Do 335 was easily able to out distance the escorting Mustangs and arrived at Cherbourg 45 minutes before the P-51s.

The P-51s stopped in Paris for lunch?

It is 600-620 miles from Munich to Cherbourg. Mustangs can cruise at 300mph+ easy at economical cruise settings or roughly 2 hours once they are at cruise altitude. Do 335 did it in 1 hour 15 minutes? 480mph for 1 1/4 hours? Fuel consumption at that speed?

 

[drgondog]

On a one way leg of 600 miles with full 85 gallon tank, the P-51 could easily cruise at 370mph at Max Continuous Cruise (46"/2700RPM). As you said SR, NFW that a Do 335 at top speed would outrun a 51 by that margin.

 

[BiffF15]

Stories sometimes grow with each re-telling...

 

[Milosh]

Yup. Why would a Do335 be in northern Germany?

 

[GrauGeist]

Yup. Why would a Do335 be in northern Germany?

The Do335 was being transferred to Cherbourg France so it could be transported to the U.S.

 

[Milosh]

That was after WW2 ended in Europe.

Was questioning Clostermann's statement.

 

[Peter Gunn]

Two things,

1. In photo 35 of the Do running up on the ramp, there's what appears to be a crazy antenna sticking out of the forward wheel well towards the back of the well, any ideas?

2. Possibly a match for D model Mustangs but I would think a P-51H would probably have its way with it had the H been deployed, just a guess on my part.

 

[drgondog]

Stories sometimes grow with each re-telling...

Biff - I noticed your avatar is Clay Kinnard's QP-A when he was Deputy CO, then CO before he returned to 355th. He was my Godfather.

 

[drgondog]

Two things,

1. In photo 35 of the Do running up on the ramp, there's what appears to be a crazy antenna sticking out of the forward wheel well towards the back of the well, any ideas?

2. Possibly a match for D model Mustangs but I would think a P-51H would probably have its way with it had the H been deployed, just a guess on my part.

All the Do 335 had on the P-51B/C/D/K was about 20-30 mph speed difference. Not insignificant but it placed the Do 335 advantage to attack and dis-engage quickly relative to air combat. Similar to the Me 262 but 50mph slower and thus more vulnerable

 

[pinsog]

What about the P47M? Speed was about even wasn't it? 8 50's would be rough on that rear engine if the P47 could get even a short burst in

 

[GrauGeist]

That was after WW2 ended in Europe.

Was questioning Clostermann's statement.

There's two possabilities for his account and other sightings.

Ekdo335 was established late summer 1944 at Mengen/Wurtemberg for training/evaluations and like most Ekdo units, occasionally operated in front-line situations (by late war, just about any place in Germany was front line, anyway). Records are rather obscure, but there is some indication that types like the A-0 and A-1 did fly limited, assigned operations.

There were also some Do335s assigned to III./KG2 (renamed V./NJG2 later). It was most likely that one from this unit is the one Closterman claims to have encountered.

There was one Do335A-0 was converted to a recon configuration prototype (A-4), was equipped with the DB603G engines and having armament removed with two RB50/30 cameras intalled in the weapons bay. There doesn't seem to be any details on this particular aircraft.

So while the Do335 was limited in number, it's not impossible for them to have been spotted in the closing months of the war.