always wondered the big if .......... what could or would of happened had this jet low slung been in battle and in numbers far earlier in the war. so few shot down by Allied AF interesting video with special emphasis on the rocket assist packs YouTube - Arado Ar-234 Blitz in action
I'll make comment on this and it is open for anyone to add their two cento's n summer 1944, the decision was made to derive a night fighter version - the Ar 234 B-2/N - from the already existing jet-powered bomber Ar 234 B-2. The intention of this solution under the code word "Nachtigall" ("Nightingale") was to convert 30 aircraft into night fighter versions in November and December 1944. After removal of all equipment related to release of bombs, a Siemens Fug 218 "Neptun" radar with antennae fixed at the nose was installed, along with the FuG 120 "Bernhardiner", a Fug 350 "Naxos", a Fug 16ZY with flagpole antenna under the nose and a FuBI 2 instrument landing system. The semi-recessed space at the bottom part of the fuselage which had before been designed to carry one large bomb was fitted with a modified "Magirus" bomb and two forward-fixed MG 151/20 cannons. Delays in production made that the idea of fitting the nose with a two-seater cabin was dropped in favour of a backward-facing work station for the radar operator, fitted into the very small space behind the second fuel tank which had previously been scheduled to house a camera for the reconnaissance version. By 10 December 1944, the first completed night fighter aircraft took off to its first flight which lasted 25 minutes. By 12 December, an experimental night fighter unit was set up: Sonderkommando "Bisping" was to test the first converted Ar 234 B-2/N. Hauptmann Josef Bisping and his radar operator Hauptmann Albert Vogl had achieved a couple of unsuccessful flights when they crashed to the ground while taking off in 13 February 1945. The evaluation process was continued by Hauptmann Bonow and he came to the conclusion that the pursuit of fast piston-engined fighters and high-speed bombers on high altitudes (such as the Mosquito) was not going to prove effective because the full view canopy caused reflection phenomena which dazzled the pilots. Furthermore, they would have been put in danger if during battle, debris of enemy aircraft would have hit their aircraft. Also, the antennae set on the nose reduced the maximum speed and the comparatively low endurance was another problem. there is some talk as to whether the unit of Bispings, Bonows and two other pilots ever had the aerials of the FuG 218 neptun ever fitted. another idea : On 11 November 1944, a test command under Hauptmann Bisign was established. Production was ordered to begin again. On 23 February 1945, Hauptman Bising and his radar operator have an accident on take off. On 26, March 1945, Hauptman Kurt Bonow, from Kommando 288, take command of the unit that was to be re-designated Erprobungskommando Bonow, based in Oranienburg. Bonow flew Wrk.Nr. 140146 plane. In the winter 1944-45 a single-seat Ar 234 B-1 was also converted and tested for night fighter rôle operating with Bonow's Kommando. This plane was also armed with a WB weapon holder holding two MG 151 20 mm guns. This plane was successful for its pilot, a Oberfeldwebel, because it shot down in several occasions R.A.F. four powered bombers." the claiming of several BC bombers has yet to be proven from the small band of 3 Ar 234B-2's
though the 4 Ar 234B-2/N's received by the Bisping, later Bonow Kommando were to have light RLM 76 blue-grey overall and or undersides the camo was in typcial day fighter late war. Bispoing and his Bordfünker flew several missions and chased down a couple of Mosquitos but coudl never get into firing position and the same occurred for Bonow as well. Sadly Bisping and his R/O were killed on a landing when the airfield turned off the lights momentarily, bonow then was transferred into the unit to experiment with the possibilities of the Ar 234 as a suitable NF platform working in some what close proximation with Kurt Welters Me 262 jet unit later 10./NJG 11. Welter had already positive vibes about the Ar 234 though he felt as others that the amount of glass and the reflection by base line searchlights hindered operations ............ and by the way for Martin, Uksubs and others the Ar 234 unit was suppose to chase down Mossies of the LNSF zooming over Berlin like Welters 262 boyz
Great stuff Eric I was only reading about Ar 234 night fighter last week in the book Me 262 Vol 3 I see Revell make a 1:48 Arado Ar 234 B-2/N 'Nachtigall
are you going to pick up that Revell addition ? note the box art is completely wrong as is the camo instructions for the 4 birds. The nose piece or Glass should of been at least covered 1/3rd to 1/2 from the base upward if not even protected with some steel armor to protect the pilot from blast debris, also move the R/O up next to the pilot though this was the plan for the C series and the many variants of the future P series with the AI radar installed. Having the R/O down the fuselage in a covered and bolted down plexi-glas cover was insane and yes it could be fired out by the R/O in case of an emergency but the conditions of which he sat were incredibly cramped - this was very similar to the conversion made for the later variants of the 3-man He 219, the rear gunner placed way down the fuselage and at least 2 different experimentations, another crazy idea by the techs. a little something from Griehls work on the NF's though these are pics from older publications even back in the 60's
UK I could give you a ton on the Me 262B-1a/U1 that served in 10./NJG 11. just so you and others are aware that Röte 10 never flew on any operational missions and the statement that Kommandeur Kurt Welter flew and this was his a/c is completely false, generated for too many long years as basis for fact. also for all did you know that the single seaters and the twin seaters never flew off the same fields in spring of 45 ? dang 9,000 posts where has the time gone ........... !
That would be great if you could share your intell on the Me 262B I know the only one left in the world is in South Africa museum
Red 8 in So. Africa is a fine example but not fly at all either only Red 12 on missions against Mossies, 1 kill recorded.
yes fun isn't it, uk one of the currators who was working part/full time to record the vents surrounding red 8 sent me all his information as he had no more time with it. It's about 2 inchs thick filled with some interesting points and the attempts to try and duplicated the camo on the bird as it was........well they almost got it but not quite
It looks like a nice aircraft but did it's engines need to be replaced after a few hours service like the engines on the Me-262 ? Also being low slung on the wing I wonder how much FOD damage would affect them in front line service.
Kurt Welter tested the AR 234 at night and found it unsuitable for night fighting. This he reported to the committee investigating night fighting aircrafts in January 1945
