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Old September 13th 04, 05:51 AM
Eunometic
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"Keith Willshaw" wrote in message ...
"Top Secret" wrote in message
...
Compared to Allied forces, what was the max they fielded? My

understanding
is they lacked heavy bombers.


The largest bomber aircraft they used in squadron service
was the He-177 Grief (Griffon)

It was a 2 propellor aircraft with each propellor
driven by 2 coupled engines. Built in relatively small
numbers (approx 1000) it was not a success being prone to fires and
on the few occassions it was used over the UK it took
heavy losses.


The general claims are that they took no losses due to enemy (RAF)
action and although this migh be in dispute they certainbly can't be
described as 'heavy'. The He 177 had good performance for its day and
the most produced version: the He 177 A-5 had solved most of the
engine problems which related to oil leakages induced by the stresses
of the coupling gearbox igniting on hot exhausts in the tight cowling
and vibration problems that sometimes caused con rods to puncture the
crank case.

Attacks involved a climbout over Germany with a long shallow diving
attack at over 400mph that made interception very difficult.


Max bomb load was around 6000 kg
but this would require external racks which slowed the
aircraft down and reduced range.


The maximum INTERNAL bombload was 6000 KG with some compromises
requred when external weapons such as three CLOS guided anti-shipping
missiles the HS 293.

It had a bigger internal bombload than the B17.

More typically
1000kg of bombs would be carried internally.


Clearly preposterous.

It flew most of its sorties over the eastern front.

Keith