Aircraft Plow Ar.234 Blitz It went down in history as the world's first jet bomber. I would add the term "probation", because as a bomber it was so-so useful, but as a scout was just perfect.
But first things first.
A procedure must be said, that the firm "Arado", from its leader Walter Blum and ending storage cats and guard dogs, It consisted of a very trivial organisms. These organisms are not able to build normal planes. Everything turned out so peculiar ....
The exception was, perhaps, Only training Arado-96, but it is rather an exception to the general list. Everything else was more than originally, peak was the "Arado-232", Well, 234th it is not inferior.
Strange as it looks, but even today remains the Ar.234 hefty blind spot in the history of aviation industry. Information vesyma controversial, and even left her a little, after, how in 1945 the firm "Arado" kicked the bucket.
Even the number of aircraft built all call about, because exact numbers are not documented, and it was already will not. Although, it is worth noting, and that a small discrepancy, 210 aircraft +/- 4-5 machines.
But go down in history. fly, more precisely.
The history of the first jet bomber began in 1940 year, when we collapsed all Hitler's plans for overcoming the UK in the sky. Bombers regularly fell under the fire of "Spitfire" and "Hurricane", PVO also collected their bloody harvest, and though the fighters of the Luftwaffe were drinking buckets of British blood and painted "abshussbalkeny" systematically and regularly, Germany lost the air war.
And now the company "Arado" was given the task of the "think of something sort of". In the sense - scout-spotter, able to get away from the fighters and be a daunting target for air defense.
Yes, learned, true? «Mosquito», which we recently talked. Hard to tell, someone who, but like. And they began to be developed at the same time.
So the "Arado" conceived precisely as a high-speed scout, instead bomber. Well, properly, It is in this role he made his debut and, Furthermore, He has been successful.
aircraft development began in 1940 g. How there was a close contact "Arado" and "Henschel", I will not undertake to say, but for the new aircraft it was originally planned as the power unit is a gas turbine from the company "Henschel".
Happened. The project has taken real shape. Although soon after the start of work, E370 project is not just depends, and almost fell into a nosedive. It happened after, as responsible for the technical policy of the Luftwaffe General Udet committed suicide. And I replaced it Milch brought down from heaven to earth is not a project of the, that use location Udet.
But a miracle happened, and Field Marshal Milch approved the draft. He liked the clean lines of the aircraft, and "Arado" received the coveted order first to 6, and then on 20 machines. It remains to wait engines ...
Talking about some originality "Arado" Designers, Firstly, of course, It comes to mind chassis. This chassis was not anybody.
In fact, designers first offered under the center set of nine very small wheels similar to the transport plane Ar.232. So you can keep a narrow body aircraft and get a bonus in terms of aerodynamic drag.
But then «Ostap suffered», and as a result was born the, that we used to see in the photos: aircraft taking off with a special trolley, which is reset after dialing a certain height.
provided, that sit the car will be manufactured at the spring-loaded landing plus ski brake parachute. And there were little skiing under the wings, also produced during landing.
according to the calculations, at takeoff weight of about 8000 kg airplane should reach speeds 780 km / h at an altitude of 6000 m and achieve practical ceiling 11000 m. Range of flight identified 2150 km, since the entire volume of the fuselage in addition to the cabin could take fuel tanks.
By Ar.234 structure represented the single-metal vysokoplan odnokilevym plumage. By fuselage bolted detachable cabin, which had a duralumin frame and covered at the top and front plexiglass, and in other parts of the — duralumin skin.
On the first aircraft (series A) all compartments are occupied by fuel tanks, but then, since Series, middle compartment is used to house the main landing gear wheels in the retracted position.
The propulsion system consisted of two gas turbine jet engines Junkers Jumo004, fuel system (In models, consisting of a front tank capacity 1750 liters and rear, 2000-liter) and a control system.
The plane had a full set of flight and navigation equipment, which allows day and night flights, including adverse weather conditions. VHF radio set-top FuG16Zy made it possible to use the receiver circuit radiopolukompasa. «lung machine», Member Login oxygen equipment, created a pilot fairly comfortable conditions at high altitudes, until the service ceiling of the aircraft.
in the evening 30 July 1943 g. took first flight. Yes, Me-262 flew much earlier, but we have plenty naobsuzhdalis on the topic of, how "raw" product was Messerschmitt. The "Arado" everything was pretty smoother and without incident. Crashing because of unopened parachutes carts - it is in principle, minor compared to those, that the plane flew, and flew well.
Then began the usual German fun in terms of alterations. Correctly, have a quick scout? And let's do it from the bomber! There is no place for the bomb bay? small size? Bogie chassis does not allow to place a bomb on the external sling? Well the party (NSDAP) He speaks, ... Or what to call dad Muller?
Of course, nothing, likely, did not have, but he was able to persuade Milch. And therefore in the "Arado" sat down to rework.
Since not even talked about placing bombs inside it, for them there was no room, Nevertheless, aircraft was normal tricycle landing gear. The whole series was already in the normal racks and wheels.
At the same time, "Arado" experts experimented with engines.
funny, as some "experts" say, that the Germans did not create anything perfect. Yes, the first turbojet engine was not perfect, but they were, they could fly, and fly fast! And most importantly, in contrast to all of the participating countries, There was a choice! This figure, of course, very difficult, Well, yeah, okay.
so here, working with the engine of the "Junkers", engineers "Arado" while looking at the, what competitors are doing. Competitors - is not a "Rolls Royce" or Klimov. It will be much later. While the "Junkers" was only one competitor - BMW. And their engine BMW003.
Tests in the middle 1943 g. show, that jet BMW003, although give traction on 40 kg less, than Jumo004, easier on yourself 240 kg. And it is at that time was very much.
And the option was born: equipped with four jet engines BMW003. This idea was first implemented on the prototype V-6. More promising turned Ar.234 V-8, in which each motoustanovka not housed separately, and twin nacelles, two under each wing.
So there was a series of SA
"Arado" C series was supposed to be on 100-130 km / h faster, have on 10-15 m / s greater climb, but at the distance of less than 140-170 km. Which is quite logical, For four cracked engine more fuel, than two. But the speed ... speed really approaching 900 kmh, which clearly made 234th elusive.
Among other things,, on the first machines of series A were worked quite familiar today things: hermokabyna, the pilot's ejection seat, drogue parachute and take-off boosters. In working out the last two systems designers have made great strides, and these systems, for the first time in the German practice, soon it became part of the standard equipment Ar.234.
Hitler, which demonstrated Ar.234 in November 1943 of the year, aircraft liked. The Fuehrer gave the order, to the end 1944 g. was built not less than two hundred Ar.234. almost got, because all were released about Ar.234 150 machines.
so, Output Germans got quite a real scout with bombs suspension. The trolley is in the past, ETC appeared pylons for bombs and bombing computer VZA.
Ar.234V-2 aircraft was, able to carry up to a maximum bomb load 2000 kg. several versions of the aircraft have been established, including B-2 / b (fotorazvedchik,) В-2/r (bombers leader, equipped with additional fuel tanks).
When installing an autopilot for the aircraft designation was added the letter «p». VARIATIONS equipment photographic reconnaissance equipment letter «b», and, finally, machines with the ability to install additional fuel tanks were in the designation letter «r». These options can be found in combinations: eg, Ar.234V 2bpr.
The bomber was equipped with a three-axis autopilot «Patin» PDS and tachometric bombsight «Lotfe 7K."
Method bombing from horizontal flight was quite original. When approaching the target pilot included autopilot, unfasten the shoulder straps, He threw back the steering wheel to the right and leaning to the bombing sight. eye control via computer was connected to the autopilot, so that all, that it was necessary to do the pilot - it keep the target in the crosshairs.
When reaching the point of bombing, bombs were dropped automatically. And in the yard, recall, It was the 1943rd year ...
After reset bombs pilot took usual posture, buckle, I disengage the autopilot and take control of the aircraft.
For dive bombing used bomb calculator BZA and periscope sight RF2C. It was he who sticks out in the pictures at the top of the nose glazing lantern, simultaneously performing the function of the rear-view periscope.
In August 1944 year pilot Captain Sommer made the first sortie. Sommer worked aerial photographs of the area of Cherbourg, where there were Allied troops, landed in Normandy. Pilot makes three passes over the area of Allied landings, before landing safely in Zhyuvenkure.
Flight altitude was 10 000 m, speed 740 kmh. For a half-hour flight Sommer made 380 shots landing area. it, properly, It could not be anyone, and the German High Command for nearly two months did not have accurate data on the size of landed troops.
It is thanks to 24 Sommer hours of flying time and 22 Hotze watch a great film was made, which allowed us to estimate the number of clicked Channel troops. The result was not the most pleasant for Germans.
During the flight, most of which are committed on the territory of the United Kingdom and France, the plane is easily evaded Allied fighter attacks. really, or "Spitfire", or "Mustang" had nothing to oppose the "Lightning", if it already raskochegarilsya.
In September 1944 , the division was formed, called "3ondepkomanda Hotze". So we appreciated the merits of both pilots, and the possibility of aircraft. In November 1944, it was formed two photographic reconnaissance unit, called "Zondepkomanda Hecht" and "Zondepkomanda Shpeplinga". The last photo-reconnaissance unit was "Zondepkomanda Zommepa", based in Udine, near Trieste. working unit, respectively, on the Italian front.
It was only in October 1944 , the first bomber unit was formed in the Alt-Lenevits — IV.(Very)/KG 76. Soon, it was renamed the group III./EKG 1 and besides Ar.234V-2 gave a couple of double-Me.262 B1a for training and export flight.
The first combat use of bombers Ar.234V occurred in February 1945 year in the area of Clive. 24 February 1945 during the attack, one of the III./KG aircraft 76 was hit by an American P-47 fighter, and the allies got the opportunity to get acquainted with Аr.234.
Since the Luftwaffe was already in a fever, to tell, that the use of Ar.234B was successful, must not. Groups suffered from logistics, lack of fuel. The only documented success at the end of the war is the destruction of the Landesdorf Bridge near Remagen.
On the whole,, as a photo reconnaissance officer Аr.234В proved to be much more effective. But this is just not surprising, because the plane was created for exactly this kind of work.
There were attempts to adapt the Ar.234B as a night fighter, armed with two 20-mm cannons and a Neptune radar, but it turned out to be complete garbage. One person was unable to read the readings of the electronic radar tubes and fly the plane. How the "night light" Аr.234В did not take place.
What can be said about Аr.234С? Only that, that it was built. Four-engine aircraft made its first takeoff 30 September 1944 of the year. It was practically B-1, but with four BMW 003A-1, as well as a nose wheel with an increased diameter and for the first time appeared brake flaps.
The pressurized cabin has already confidently registered on the aircraft of the C series. Further more: weapons appeared. In the tail section, on fixed carriages, two 20-mm MG-151 cannons were installed with ammunition in 200 shells each.
I.e, no targeted fire was even discussed, but the enemy fighter entering the tail could at least frighten.
And on the C-3 version, two of the same guns appeared., firing forward. They were placed under the cockpit in a hanging container.. From that moment, the Ar.234C turned into a completely multipurpose aircraft..
note, what are the Germans after all. There is a war, the war is losing, the front is bursting, and they continued to drive aircraft modifications, the application of which was really in doubt, based on the above.
And there were also modifications, which were developed for engines, who were "on the way": Heinkel-Hirt HeS 011A or Junkers 012.
There was an attempt to use one of the cars of the C family as a carrier of a V1 cruise missile, equipping it with a parallelogram mechanism for separating the rocket from the fuselage before launch, however, they did not have time to test this modification. And so - a completely ready-made scheme of a missile strike carrier. In 1945.
Overall, I would call the Ar.234 a successful machine.. Yes, was released a little, Yes, application was sporadic, but ... But the plane confidently and successfully performed that role, which was prepared for him. It is a fact, from which it is difficult to get away.
Ar.234 was difficult to fly, especially during takeoff and landing, and only highly qualified pilots could actually fly it. They also improved the tactics of using such aircraft., which was very useful to our enemies / allies / opponents after the war.
It should be noted here, that all the combat work of Ar.234 fell on time, when the allied aviation had total air superiority. And yet, despite, that Ar.234 was used exclusively on the Western Front, losses were small even on takeoffs and landings.
British sources indicate, As for 25 Martha 1945 g. Total 4 KG76 pilot killed in action, as many — in disasters and 7 — injured in accidents. Few Allied fighters could boast of successful interceptions of the Ar.234B.
Let the bombers, due to their small number and inability to carry a large number of bombs, could not become a real weapon, scouts Аr.234В more than fulfilled all the funds spent on them.
clear, that the Allies showed great interest in the aircraft, but ours did not stand aside either. Damaged aircraft Аr.234В made an emergency landing at the Pyutnitz airfield, where he was captured by our troops.
The brigade of the Air Force Research Institute immediately began to restore the machine., and she, although not without problems, was brought into a relatively flying condition. To save time, the first stage of flight tests was decided to be held in Germany.. The flights were first carried out at the Pyetnitz airfield, and then in Rechlin and Hertz.
To conclusions, made by the head of the department of the Air Force Research Institute, engineer-lieutenant colonel A.G. Kochetkov, left an imprint then, that he constantly compared Ar.234 with Me.262, tested the day before. Kochetkov noted, that Ar.234 is less structurally finished and significantly inferior in flight and tactical data (Soviet testers got maximum speed 690 km / h on 4000 m), but superior in range and duration.
Leading engineer who arrived in Germany, Major Engineer I. D. Rabkin and the pilot, Major A.G. Kubyshkin, after ground study Ar.234 with 25 January 1946 g. started flying on it. However, the next day the tests had to be interrupted due to an aircraft accident.. After aircraft recovery, 14 February 1946 city, tests continued, a 26 February finished. In total, we managed to perform five flights with a touch 3 no 13 min.
After which the plane finally fell into disrepair and was damaged by fire in the last flight.. A failed engine caught fire.
Ar.234B did not receive enthusiastic assessments from Soviet test pilots. According to our experts, the plane was very difficult to fly, which was aggravated by a significant cockpit offset relative to the wing, insufficient lateral stability at low speeds and large loads on the control stick from the ailerons at speeds above 450 kmh.
In defense it is worth saying, that Me.262, which was tested in parallel with Ar.234B, was actually a new plane, and Аr.234В was actually at the end of its resource, and even after renovation, which was first carried out by the Germans at the end of the war, and then ours, not having, to put it mildly, aircraft concepts.
Nevertheless, give credit to those, who was the first to develop, brought up and mastered jet technology. In response to some "experts" I have already said, that new is always difficult and difficult. but you will agree, those novelties, which were laid down in Аr.234, hermokabyna, brake parachutes, accelerators, catapult, everything, without which a modern airplane is poorly represented today, was invented and tested just then, under the crunch of the Third Reich.
And good, that we were able to use the best practices.
And fine, that the Germans could not bring to mind everything that was conceived. For at the exit to 1946 year we would get squadrons of elusive bombers, which would be very difficult to deal with with conventional methods. And with unusual, you know, we didn't have much.
Characteristics Ar.234b-2:
Wingspan, m: 14,10
Length, m: 12,60
Height, m: 4,30
wing area, m2: 25,50
Weight, kg
— empty aircraft: 5 200
— normal takeoff: 8 417
— maximum take-off: 9 858
engine's type: 2 TRD Jumo-004B "Hurricane" on 900 kgf
full speed, kmh: 740
practical range, km: 1 620
combat range, km: 1 100
The maximum rate of climb, m / min: 470
Service ceiling, m: 10 000
Crew: 1
weaponry:
— two fixed 20 mm MG-151 cannons in the tail section with 200 shells on the barrel;
— three 500 kg bombs or one 1000 kg bomb, or one 1000 kg bomb and two 350 kg bombs, or three 250-500-kg cluster bombs.
/Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
