Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Dornier Flugzeugwerke
Dornier Do 335 Aircraft Overview
The Dornier Do 335 (or “Pfeil”)was a German heavy fighter aircraft developed by the Dornier company during World War II. It was designed as a two-seat fighter-bomber with a unique “push-pull” engine configuration, which placed the two engines in a tandem arrangement on the centerline of the fuselage.
The Do 335 was powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603 liquid-cooled inverted V12 engines, which provided the aircraft with a top speed of around 474 mph (763 km/h). It was armed with two 20mm cannon and two 30mm cannon mounted in the nose, as well as the ability to carry bombs or rockets.
The Do 335 was intended to be used as a high-speed bomber destroyer, but due to its late introduction and the deteriorating situation of the German war effort, it saw limited action in combat. A total of around 45 aircraft were produced, with only a handful seeing combat before the end of the war.
Despite its limited combat record, the Do 335 was an impressive aircraft with advanced features for its time. Its “push-pull” engine configuration gave it a streamlined design and reduced drag, which allowed it to fly at high speeds. Its powerful armament made it a formidable opponent in the air, and it was capable of carrying a significant amount of ordnance for ground attack missions.
Dornier Do 335-A Specifications
- Crew: 1
- Length: 13.85 m (45 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 13.8 m (45 ft 3 in)
- Height: 5 m (16 ft 5 in)
- Wing area: 38.5 m2 (414 sq ft)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 23018-630; tip: NACA 23012-635
- Empty weight: 7,260 kg (16,006 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,600 kg (21,164 lb)
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- A-6 10,085 kg (22,234 lb)
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- Fuel capacity: 1,230 L (320 US gal; 270 imp gal) main fuel tank (single-seat) with various extra tankage in the weapons bay and wings, depending on variant
- Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603E-1 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engines, 1,342 kW (1,800 hp) each for take-off. 1,417 kW (1,900 hp) at 1,800 m (5,900 ft)
- Propellers: 3-bladed VDM, 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) diameter constant-speed tractor and pusher propellers
Dornier Do 335-A Performance
- Maximum speed: 763 km/h (474 mph, 412 kn) at 6,500 m (21,300 ft). A-6 690 km/h (430 mph; 370 kn) at 5,300 m (17,400 ft)
- Cruise speed: 685 km/h (426 mph, 370 kn) at 7,200 m (23,600 ft)
- Economical cruise speed: 452 km/h (281 mph; 244 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
- Range: 1,395 km (867 mi, 753 nmi) on full internal fuel at max. continuous power. 2,060 km (1,280 mi; 1,110 nmi) at economical cruise power
- Service ceiling: 11,400 m (37,400 ft)
- Time to altitude: 1,000 m (3,300 ft) in 55 seconds ; 8,000 m (26,000 ft) in 14 minutes 30 seconds
Dornier Do 335-A Armament
- Guns: 1 × engine mounted 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 103 cannon with 70 rounds plus 2 × 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151/20 cowl-mount, synchronized autocannon with 200 rpg.
- Bombs: Up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bombload in internal weapons bay and two underwing pylons.
Dornier Do 335 Image Gallery
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