(robert arndt) wrote in message . com...
nt (Krztalizer) wrote in message ...
Few people know this, but the A-10 is actually a stolen WWII German design.
Sabotage at the factory and defeatist whiners kept the project from flying
before VE Day, but in 20 years the original plans will be released by the
military, clearly showing the RLM stamp in the upper left corner.

I know its true because I read it on Venik's website.

Gordon

It IS actually a stolen German design- a nameless Junkers Attack
Project which started in 1941.
From "Luftwaffe Secret Projects, Ground Attack & Special-Purpose
Aircraft" page 36:

http://www.luft46.com/junkers/jugap.html

SNIP
As a ground attack
aircraft, it was to have been equipped with four 30mm MK 103 and and
four 20mm MG 151/20 cannon.

The Mk103 had 140mm of penetration when firing tungsten cored
amunition from a FW190. From the faster jet it would have been more.



On the next page is pictured the A-10, a three-view of the Junkers
project, and both a schematic drawing and actual photo of the DB
109-007 turbojet on its engine test-bed. Accompanying note on the
A-10:

The DB 109-107 was actualy more of a turbofan. It had a rear combined
turbine-fan that at its inner (near the blade roots) and outer (i.e.
the tips) peripherty opperated as a fan while only 40% opperated as a
tubine. The cooling effect allowed a very high 1000C intlet
temperature, very high for the materials of the day.

The engine would have been extremely quiet because of the mixing of
fast and slow gases. You can see the rear fan inlet cowling on the
painting here.

http://www.luft46.com/junkers/jugap.html


" A Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt prototype. Its similarity to the
Junkers design scheme is UNMISTAKEABLE. The propulsion units, mounted
in lateral fuselage nacelles were two General Electric TF 34-GE 100
bypass turbojets..."

Similar problems lead to similar solutions. Neverthelss it is an
indication that the Germans had grasped the tactical possibility of
the Jet. They were clearly after miracles to stop the masses of
Soviet tanks bearing down on them.

I don't think this designe would have been a goer for the Germans who
needed a faster aircraft to avoid interception. It greatest use would
have been in pluging tank breakthroughs. I thnk this speedier designe
would have been more usefull.
http://www.luft46.com/mess/mep10199.html


As for the A-10s revolver cannon- so what? The Germans had a range of
heavy Bordwaffe in development including the Duka 88. Even the A-10 in
WW2 would have been downed if hit in the engines with that baby!

Rob