Which units would have received the Do 335?

[Red Bandit]

G'Day all, have just joined up and thought I may be able to get some help.

Doing some research on the Do 335 with a 'What if ' modelling project in mind.

Looking for some opinions on which unit/units would have received the Do 335A (fighter version).

Would they have been sent to a fighter unit to replace Bf 109's and Fw 190's or sent to Zerstorer (twin engined) units?

Hmmm.....

Any opinions/thoughts will be greatly appreciated.

Then there's the camo markings to think about. One thing at a time I suppose.

Thanks.

 

[davebender]

The Do-335 was fast enough to outrun escort fighters. 3 x 3cm Mk103 autocannon pack enough firepower to shoot down the Death Star. And from long range too with the new EZ42 gyro stabilized gunsite. A perfect bomber killer.

 

[Njaco]

Hard to say what units would be the first as there was both a day fighter and night fighter variant. Most probably JG 26 as they were considered the premier day fighter unit in the West - where it was probably needed more against the Allied heavies - and they had introduced the Fw 190 into combat.

Erprobungskommando 335 ws the only unit to test fly the plane starting September 1944.

 

[davparlr]

The Do-335 was fast enough to outrun escort fighters. 3 x 3cm Mk103 autocannon pack enough firepower to shoot down the Death Star. And from long range too with the new EZ42 gyro stabilized gunsite. A perfect bomber killer.

Excluding jets, which made all of these planes obsolete, by the summer of '45, the Allies had aircraft in production that would have neutralized the Do-335. Both the P-51H and the in-theater P-47M would have been problematic for the Do-335. It is interesting to note that, above 25k ft., the single engine P-47M had more power available than the twin engine Do-335, and 3000lbs less weight. The Do-335 wasted resources that should have been applied to jet aircraft. The AAF had already cancelled its superb XP-72 for jet aircraft.

 

[davebender]

I think the Do-335 was Germanys backup plan in case jet aircraft didn't pan out. The same reason Britain began putting Griffon engines in late war Spitfires and the USA developed the P-51H.

Historically the Me-262 jet worked just fine by April 1945 so I doubt the Do-335 would have entered mass production.

 

[Milosh]

I think the Do-335 was Germanys backup plan in case jet aircraft didn't pan out. The same reason Britain began putting Griffon engines in late war Spitfires and the USA developed the P-51H.

Agh? 1941 is not late war and that is when the first Griffon powered Spitfire flew. The Griffon powered Mk XII (type 366) began RAF service in Oct 1942.

 

[davebender]

The first German jet fighter flew 12 April 1941. But it was far from ready for mass production. The same applies to the RR Griffon engine. Not many were produced before WWII ended.

 

[davebender]

Dornier Do 335 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It appears to me mass production versions of the Do-335 were to be powered by DB603L engines. The same engine which powered the Ta-152C1. Which makes sense if the Do-335 was intended as a bomber interceptor. That engine had excellent high altitude performance. 1,750hp @29,530 feet!

Focke-Wulf Ta 152

The Ta 152C-1 was powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 603LA twelve-cylinder liquid cooled engine rated at 2,100 hp (1567 kW) or (2,300 hp (1716 kW) with MW 50 boost) for takeoff and 1,750 hp (1305 kW) at 29,530 feet (1,900 hp (1417 kW) at 27,560 feet with MW 50 boost).

 

[Milosh]

The first German jet fighter flew 12 April 1941. But it was far from ready for mass production. The same applies to the RR Griffon engine. Not many were produced before WWII ended.

Where do you come up with such nonsense? The number of Griffon Spitfires produced has nothing to do with the Griffon not being ready for mass production. It had to do manufacturing space and resources. There was over 2000 Griffon powered Spitfires contracted to be built during the war.

The DB603L you are so hot on was only a prototype engine that never went into mass production.

 

[davebender]

The Do-335 fighter was also only a prototype during April 1945. What's your point?

 

[johnbr]

And the big MK112 canon it was to get was not in production.

 

[GrauGeist]

The first German jet fighter flew 12 April 1941. But it was far from ready for mass production...

The He280 made it's first flight under jet power in March 1941, the Me262 first flew with a piston engine in April, 1941...it was about a year before it flew with jet power

With the handling qualities that pilots reported, it would seem that the Do335 would be able to handle itself against comparable piston powered aircraft. Against a jet, it would be the reverse scenario of the classic "P-51 versus the Me262" confrontation. While the early jets were faster, none of them (except the He280) were capable of a traditional high-speed turning fight.

I'd have to agree with NJACO's pick for JG26 for daytime Ops, but I'd guess that either NG1 or NG11 would have the Do335 NachtJaeger assignment

 

[Erich]

the Do is not even mentioned in ANY LW archival transcript for 1945 till wars end. the Fw 190 in the late D variant and TA 152h and other variants would of been the norm along with a sleeker version of the Me 262

 

[Red Bandit]

Thanks guys,

Some interesting points there as always with "what if" topics, a lot of 'discussion'.

I too reckon the Ta 152 and Me 262 would have been produced in far more numbers and variants before the Do 335 would have seen the front line.

Got a few modelling projects to finish off first before I start this one.

Thanks again and keep the 'discussion' going.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Did something happen, where did all the posts go?????????????????