Revealing the Luftwaffe's Secret Bombers: Unveiling the Hidden Side of the Third Reich

Germans have always been recognized for their exceptional engineering prowess, and during World War II, the Luftwaffe took advantage of this expertise to create some of the most advanced warplanes of the era. While the infamous Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs have become well-known symbols of the Third Reich's air power, there were also a number of secret bombers that played a crucial role behind the scenes. In this article, we delve deep into the unknown realm of Luftwaffe secret bombers, unveiling the hidden side of the Third Reich.

1. Horten Ho 229 – The Stealth Bomber

The Horten Ho 229, also known as the "Gotha Go 229," was a revolutionary stealth bomber designed by the Horten brothers, Walter and Reimar. Its unique flying wing design, similar to modern-day stealth aircraft, gave it excellent stealth capabilities, allowing it to evade radar detection during missions. The Horten Ho 229 had a cutting-edge jet engine and was equipped with two 30mm MK 108 cannons, making it a formidable threat in the air. Its planned range was up to 1,800 miles, and it could carry up to 2,000 kg of bombs.

Luftwaffe - Secret Bombers of the Third Reich

by Dan Sharp (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2206 KB
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2. Heinkel He 177 – The Long-Range Heavy Bomber

Developed by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke, the Heinkel He 177 was intended to be the Luftwaffe's long-range heavy bomber. With its impressive range of 3,500 miles and a maximum speed of 435 mph, it posed a significant threat to Allied forces across Europe. However, production issues and technical difficulties plagued the He 177, and it never achieved its full potential. Nonetheless, its innovative design, featuring four engines, made it a unique addition to the Luftwaffe's bomb fleet.

3. Dornier Do 335 – The Fastest Piston-Engine Bomber

The Dornier Do 335, dubbed the "Pfeil" (Arrow), was an unconventional bomber designed to be the fastest piston-engine aircraft of its time. Its unique push-pull engine configuration, with one engine in the front and one in the rear, allowed it to reach speeds of up to 475 mph. Armed with two 20mm MG 151/20 cannons and two 30mm MK 108 cannons, the Do 335 had considerable firepower. Unfortunately, only a few dozen units were produced due to the war's end, and the aircraft never saw significant combat action.

4. Junkers Ju 287 – The Jet-Powered Bomber with Forward-Swept Wings

The Junkers Ju 287 was a remarkable jet-powered bomber that introduced the concept of forward-swept wings to aviation. Designed to overcome stability issues encountered with traditional swept-wing aircraft, the Ju 287 offered superior maneuverability and speed. Its four Junkers Jumo 004 jet engines propelled it to a top speed of 510 mph. While the Ju 287 never entered active service, it played a vital role in shaping future aircraft designs with its innovative use of forward-swept wings.

5. Arado Ar 234 – The World's First Operational Jet Bomber

The Arado Ar 234 was a groundbreaking jet-powered bomber that holds the distinction of being the world's first operational jet bomber. With its twin Jumo 004 engines, it reached a top speed of 462 mph, making it one of the fastest aircraft of the time. The Ar 234 had a unique design, featuring a glazed nose and tricycle landing gear. It was primarily used for reconnaissance missions, but a bomber version capable of carrying 1,000 kg of bombs was also developed.

6. Blohm & Voss BV 238 – The Gigantic Flying Boat

The Blohm & Voss BV 238 was an enormous flying boat designed to be the largest aircraft of the Third Reich. With a wingspan of over 185 feet and a maximum takeoff weight of 106 tons, it was an engineering marvel. The BV 238 was powered by six engines and had impressive range capabilities, enabling it to operate across vast distances. While it never went into mass production, the BV 238 remains one of the most significant achievements in German aviation history.

7. Junkers Ju 287 – The Swinging Bomber

The Junkers Ju 287, also known as the "Swing-Wing" bomber, was a groundbreaking aircraft that featured a variable-sweep wing design. This design allowed the wing angle to be adjusted during flight, optimizing performance at various speeds. The Ju 287 was powered by four engines and had a projected top speed of 559 mph. Although only a prototype was built before the war ended, its variable-sweep wing concept paved the way for future swing-wing aircraft.

While the Third Reich's secret bombers were not as widely known as their more iconic counterparts, they represented the innovative spirit and technical achievements of German aviation during World War II. These hidden gems pushed the boundaries of aircraft design and demonstrated the Luftwaffe's commitment to staying ahead of their adversaries. The legacy of these secret bombers lives on, serving as a testament to the extraordinary engineering capabilities of the Third Reich.

Luftwaffe - Secret Bombers of the Third Reich

by Dan Sharp (Kindle Edition)

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2206 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	222 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Dozens of top secret bomber designs were drawn up by the Germans during the Second World War, including gigantic flying wings, sleek jet bombers, asymmetrical bombers with the cockpit and weapons turrets on the ends of their wings and even enormous carriers for single-seat suicide bombers.

Starting with the He 177, the most advanced bomber design of its day in 1936, author Dan Sharp looks at the huge variety of bomber projects produced during the days of the Third Reich, uncovering a host of original and previously unseen documents to offer an unrivalled look at bombers such as the Arado E 470, E 555 and previously unknown Arado types, Junkers Ju 488, Focke-Wulf Ta 400 and Fw 300, Blohm & Voss P 163 and BV 250, Messerschmitt P 1107 and P 1108, He 343 and the so-called Daimler-Benz projects.

Luftwaffe: Secret Bombers of the Third Reich is intended as a companion volume for Luftwaffe: Secret Jets of the Third Reich and includes numerous new and period illustrations.