Considering that Blohm + Voss main strengths were in the construction of both civilian and naval vessels including the Bismarck they certainly did have a very creative division designing and building some impressive aircraft.
After the comment of "few pictures exist" I thought it was going to be like two photos. But that was a ton of pictures Ed! Don't undersell like that :D Great video, how you can still find so many interesting planes is a testament to your research and the great community you've put together.
There are a few channels were I habitually click the like button even before having watched the video. This channel is one. Even fewer are the times that I click a second time. On this channel.
I'm there with ya, now I'm just waiting for Ed to somehow drop an April fools video thats just awful and gets worse and worse until I revoke my like...and then I'd put it back laughing in appreciation at the effort 😂
Hard to imagine an easier target than one of these on tow, or one with a poorer rate of climb. But if they were first thought up before the allied bombers had fighter escort than maybe…?
As a glider pilot, maybe you can answer a question for me. How much difference (in your opinion, not necessarily fact) would laying down to fly make for you?
@@bull614 Nowadays almost all high perf gliders have the pilot reclining feet first, similar to an F16. MUCH easier though maybe not quite as slick as head first.
@leofriedwald9901 That's what I was asking. Sorry, I guess I should have been more specific. My apologies. My dad was an instructor at our local airport and taught me the basics (not officially qualified). The idea of flying face first is an interesting prospect, to say the least.
I read years ago that the cross sectional area of a FW 190 was seventeen square feet, a target that the average USAAF gunner could hit at a range of 1000 yards, so this aircraft was produced in order to reduce significantly the area to hit head on when attacking. The armour therefore was increased concomitantly as a result of the mode of attack!
What a fascinating machine. In a way, it's kind of a predecessor to the modern concepts of suicide drones and guided missiles, especially in its original ramming form!
Although much of the construction work was done by forced labour, you still have to admirr the amazing ideas that came out among reducing supply problems.
This reminds me of the Nakajima Ki-115, a dedicated kamikaze aircraft by Japan that was made from non-strategic materials and intended to be a one-time use aircraft, for kamikaze missions
Rockets would seem to be the ideal weapon for a glider. You could imagine a mass glider attack on a bomber formation’s front with rockets. If unopposed by fighters such an attack might have been able to break up the formation and get away with small casualties with or without heavy armor. The rockets could be lobbed into the formation from beyond the 600 yard effective range of .50 cal gunners then the glider could descend to be rearmed.
Out of that whole paragraph, only 4 words mattered; "if unopposed by fighters"... Germany could have easily conquered Britain if unopposed by the RAF, RN, and British army. They could have sent panzer divisions racing across America if unopposed by the Atlantic Ocean. When engineers design something that works perfectly on the drafting table and then assume field conditions will be exactly the same, whatever they designed will fail before it ever completes its first test use.
Any chance the C-123 will make it in here anytime soon? I'm still amazed by its roots as a glider and its capabilities. Everyone remembers DHC but no one talks about this bird 's stol abilities. A little saddened that it was not considered for light transport vs the C-27J/C-295. Would've been cool to see it with turbofans or even a ramjet, though the obvious choices are either the AE2100 or maybe PW-150.
Thanks! Always enjoy your detailed histories. Hitler had troops flown into Berlin in these gliders, in April 1945. Mark Felton did a video on it. Oh I see that these are "fighter" gliders, lol. My mistake.
It was precisely the availability of resources and manufacturing capacity that made the bombing campaign worth it. The amount of resources it diverted from other aspects of the German war effort is simply staggering, before even factoring in any damage done to ground targets. It was the direct reason for near total allied air dominance over the western front, which had substantial effects on infantry casualties that were orders of magnitude greater than even the worst days of aircrew losses.
Well, on the other hand, let's not forget after WWI the limits on the German military forced them to pursue gliders as a means of training. And as we saw, gliders were used to great effect by some of the waring powers, so this would seem logical as well as an unorthodox experiment.
I'd much rather fly with any Me163 squadron (a similar size too). Yep, fighter escorts would've quickly sorted this stupid idea out. Cheers from Canberra Ed, Tuesday just ticked over.
Surprised that they didn’t bolt a couple of solid fuel rockets to the sides for “attack phase” power. Of course this wouldn’t make much of a difference once escorts arrived.
Never heard of this before...and I can see why! Imagine being a "pilot" for this thing, belly down and your faces inches from the instrument panel, as you zoom straight at a large metal bomber with intent of smashing into it. Better hope those shoulder-straps are tight, chief....
No, sadly it is real. Pilots could be disolved by the fuel if any was spilt inside the aircraft and if any remained in the tanks when landing, the violent bumps from landing on the skid undercarriage could blow the aircraft and pilot up. The fuel ingredients were super hazardous to ground and air crew alike. One of the ingredients was very concentrated hydrogen peroxide, and the other escapes me at the moment. One part was water soluble and the other would explode on contact with water. Google the aircraft for a better answer.
I could almost see it working in the early days before the allies had long range escort and fighter sweeps, but no way after that. Even then it would require a LOT of advanced warning to get the gliders up to altitude in time to intercept. Pretty obvious why the Germans gave up on the idea 😂
You could have attempted (successfully or not) to justify the allied bombing of Germany using various arguments, but as an adult, "yeah but, no but, they did it first" is not one of them.
@@bentilbury2002 That is an adult argument. I remember aeejit telling me that the death penalty was 'merely retribution', what punishment isn't? Also you seem to ignore that after the Blitz failed the Reich got a 'second breath' with civilian bombing with the V1 and V2 aiming at not just the UK but also the Low Countries. By the way - what is your alternative EXACTLY? Please do not write ignorant twaddle about 'precision bombing'.
Boy, they were really f---ed by 1943 if this is what they were considering. Geez. For being such geniuses they did so many things so badly and so many mistakes. Then the weapons that were supposed to be so great were poor-quality maintenance hogs. This is the first time I heard about this and this is insane. Yikes!
we have adopted the metric system since the 1970s, I know because I was schooled in it. This channel has a lot of American followers, so both measurements are stated.
@@Knuck_Knucks can do both, metric is way easier, you just move the decimal point about..., but mostly just chattin shit for the algorithm, get him over the 100K.
Let's face it - we all know what Richard Vogt's real reservation about the design was: it was too symmetrical for him.
😂
😅
"And this is our top of the range coffin for the soon to be posthumous hero"...
Literally. 😂
Yeah, every participant wins at least a Wound Badge in this thing.
A glider interceptor by ramming. What could possibly go wrong.
Early in the video we see a quick shot of the Bachem Natter - designed by Acme Mail Order at the request of a Mr W E Coyote.
Considering that Blohm + Voss main strengths were in the construction of both civilian and naval vessels including the Bismarck they certainly did have a very creative division designing and building some impressive aircraft.
Coffee, a small break and Ed Nash and another well researched and presented video, life is good!
After the comment of "few pictures exist" I thought it was going to be like two photos. But that was a ton of pictures Ed! Don't undersell like that :D Great video, how you can still find so many interesting planes is a testament to your research and the great community you've put together.
The EE Lightning is famously the interceptor with the fastest climb rate, is this the only interceptor without one?
It never got a world record for anything...
There are a few channels were I habitually click the like button even before having watched the video. This channel is one.
Even fewer are the times that I click a second time. On this channel.
I'm there with ya, now I'm just waiting for Ed to somehow drop an April fools video thats just awful and gets worse and worse until I revoke my like...and then I'd put it back laughing in appreciation at the effort 😂
As a keen glider pilot, I find this morbidly fascinating....
Agreed, as by adding a solid fueled rocket engine they were almost making a maned cruise missile...
Hard to imagine an easier target than one of these on tow, or one with a poorer rate of climb. But if they were first thought up before the allied bombers had fighter escort than maybe…?
As a glider pilot, maybe you can answer a question for me. How much difference (in your opinion, not necessarily fact) would laying down to fly make for you?
@@bull614 Nowadays almost all high perf gliders have the pilot reclining feet first, similar to an F16. MUCH easier though maybe not quite as slick as head first.
@leofriedwald9901 That's what I was asking. Sorry, I guess I should have been more specific. My apologies. My dad was an instructor at our local airport and taught me the basics (not officially qualified). The idea of flying face first is an interesting prospect, to say the least.
When you're designing ramming aircraft that's probably a good sign you've already lost the war.
The US also designed a ramming fighter during WW2. A jet aircraft even.
@@foximacentauri7891 True, the Northrop XP-79. I had forgotten all about it.
This glider is what you get when you take your goals way too literally
I read years ago that the cross sectional area of a FW 190 was seventeen square feet, a target that the average USAAF gunner could hit at a range of 1000 yards, so this aircraft was produced in order to reduce significantly the area to hit head on when attacking. The armour therefore was increased concomitantly as a result of the mode of attack!
Concomitantly is a word I have lived my whole life without seeing until this moment. Thank you
An interceptor with 3 seconds of firing time, no real sights, and guns with extremely low muzzle velocity? A recipe for success!
I take it non-specialist labor means “unpaid” workers if you get my drift.
You can talk some people into anything. “It’s for the Fatherland! You’ll be a hero!”
Germans knew what awaited if they lost the war even turned into an agrarian entity.
What a fascinating machine. In a way, it's kind of a predecessor to the modern concepts of suicide drones and guided missiles, especially in its original ramming form!
You'd have to be a 'drone' to climb in and pilot one of those things. 🐿
I remember this video. I can't remember if I saw it 2 years or 5 years ago. It was a cool video.
Thanks, love your videos.
Although much of the construction work was done by forced labour, you still have to admirr the amazing ideas that came out among reducing supply problems.
This reminds me of the Nakajima Ki-115, a dedicated kamikaze aircraft by Japan that was made from non-strategic materials and intended to be a one-time use aircraft, for kamikaze missions
I badly want to fly a BV40. It looks ridiculously fun.
Early concept for the Lawn Dart.
Another crazy German idea I've never heard of. Thanks, Ed (I think!)
Rockets would seem to be the ideal weapon for a glider. You could imagine a mass glider attack on a bomber formation’s front with rockets. If unopposed by fighters such an attack might have been able to break up the formation and get away with small casualties with or without heavy armor. The rockets could be lobbed into the formation from beyond the 600 yard effective range of .50 cal gunners then the glider could descend to be rearmed.
Out of that whole paragraph, only 4 words mattered; "if unopposed by fighters"...
Germany could have easily conquered Britain if unopposed by the RAF, RN, and British army.
They could have sent panzer divisions racing across America if unopposed by the Atlantic Ocean.
When engineers design something that works perfectly on the drafting table and then assume field conditions will be exactly the same, whatever they designed will fail before it ever completes its first test use.
Desperate times; desperate measures, I suppose. But a glider attack craft? Yeesh.
Hitler and friends sounds like some sort of BBC or Nickelodeon kids show in a strange alternate timeline.
Now here's your host...
Any chance the C-123 will make it in here anytime soon? I'm still amazed by its roots as a glider and its capabilities. Everyone remembers DHC but no one talks about this bird 's stol abilities. A little saddened that it was not considered for light transport vs the C-27J/C-295. Would've been cool to see it with turbofans or even a ramjet, though the obvious choices are either the AE2100 or maybe PW-150.
Vogt was a genius, but I also wonder how often he indulged in the Panzerchokolad…
That flap looks like it can be positioned to be a dive brake, suggesting the plane was intended to attack from above.
Turning a kamikaze glider into.. a kamikaze glider.. err.. grief.. Germany.. nuff said
Agreed, as by adding a solid fueled rocket engine they were almost making a maned cruise missile....
Thanks! Always enjoy your detailed histories. Hitler had troops flown into Berlin in these gliders, in April 1945. Mark Felton did a video on it. Oh I see that these are "fighter" gliders, lol. My mistake.
It was precisely the availability of resources and manufacturing capacity that made the bombing campaign worth it. The amount of resources it diverted from other aspects of the German war effort is simply staggering, before even factoring in any damage done to ground targets. It was the direct reason for near total allied air dominance over the western front, which had substantial effects on infantry casualties that were orders of magnitude greater than even the worst days of aircrew losses.
Somebody should make some replicas and sell them to gliding schools.
Followed by replicas of British and US gliders.
Uh, nope. As many of the "assault gliders" were dangerous & deadly to their occupants...
i bet this made even Japan go "Germany.. wtf ?? "
Well now that’s an interesting idea, although I only say that because I’m not the one being compelled to fly one.
The first aviation laugh i have had for a while..
This feels like someone tried to make a Tankette that flies... weird plan
Well, on the other hand, let's not forget after WWI the limits on the German military forced them to pursue gliders as a means of training. And as we saw, gliders were used to great effect by some of the waring powers, so this would seem logical as well as an unorthodox experiment.
You can always rely on B&V coming up with a whacky design!
I'd much rather fly with any Me163 squadron (a similar size too). Yep, fighter escorts would've quickly sorted this stupid idea out. Cheers from Canberra Ed, Tuesday just ticked over.
Thanks for posting this interesting video.
The name is pronounced 'blow-m' and not bloom.
They should have offered the design to the Japanese
'What did he say? What did he say?' 'He-he-he says th-this p-plane will.ram the pigeon!'
That seems suicidal even without fighter escorts.
Surprised that they didn’t bolt a couple of solid fuel rockets to the sides for “attack phase” power. Of course this wouldn’t make much of a difference once escorts arrived.
Agreed, as by adding a solid fueled rocket engine they were almost making a maned cruise missile.....
Never heard of this before...and I can see why!
Imagine being a "pilot" for this thing, belly down and your faces inches from the instrument panel, as you zoom straight at a large metal bomber with intent of smashing into it. Better hope those shoulder-straps are tight, chief....
Is that melted pilot story real? Or is it an urban legend?
No, sadly it is real. Pilots could be disolved by the fuel if any was spilt inside the aircraft and if any remained in the tanks when landing, the violent bumps from landing on the skid undercarriage could blow the aircraft and pilot up. The fuel ingredients were super hazardous to ground and air crew alike. One of the ingredients was very concentrated hydrogen peroxide, and the other escapes me at the moment. One part was water soluble and the other would explode on contact with water.
Google the aircraft for a better answer.
how could anyone even thought that is was an even remotely sensible idea is insane
I could almost see it working in the early days before the allies had long range escort and fighter sweeps, but no way after that. Even then it would require a LOT of advanced warning to get the gliders up to altitude in time to intercept. Pretty obvious why the Germans gave up on the idea 😂
Well, it was Nazi Germany...
German brain in action - "Lets design a weird and dangerous aircraft that MIGHT work ? ... GOOD IDEA ! "
Allied brain in action - "Lets ..not .. " c
Prone or supine?
Hang on, it's not April fools day yet, is it...................... so they were serious.
Lol yep
It looks like a flying rubbish bin.😆
Most Germans misjudged badly on allied war material production
Anybody who believes that the Allies ought not to have had a mass bombing campaign please remember that the Luftwaffe made this a speciality.
Also zeppelin attacks on civilians during first World war
You could have attempted (successfully or not) to justify the allied bombing of Germany using various arguments, but as an adult, "yeah but, no but, they did it first" is not one of them.
@@bentilbury2002 That is an adult argument. I remember aeejit telling me that the death penalty was 'merely retribution', what punishment isn't? Also you seem to ignore that after the Blitz failed the Reich got a 'second breath' with civilian bombing with the V1 and V2 aiming at not just the UK but also the Low Countries.
By the way - what is your alternative EXACTLY?
Please do not write ignorant twaddle about 'precision bombing'.
@bentilbury2002
Worst troll ever. Such low grade bait. Do better.
Desperate times
This looks like a dog kennel with wings. Things were very bad for Germany in 1943!
If we commuted by plan today THIS is what ED Milliped would demand we switch to 🙄
Boy, they were really f---ed by 1943 if this is what they were considering. Geez. For being such geniuses they did so many things so badly and so many mistakes. Then the weapons that were supposed to be so great were poor-quality maintenance hogs. This is the first time I heard about this and this is insane. Yikes!
As usual british measurement, while most other nations meanwhile adopted the metric system...
And your point? You will note that as always he stated both Imperial and Metric measurements.
we have adopted the metric system since the 1970s, I know because I was schooled in it. This channel has a lot of American followers, so both measurements are stated.
Metric is Murder ! 🐿
@@Knuck_Knucks can do both, metric is way easier, you just move the decimal point about..., but mostly just chattin shit for the algorithm, get him over the 100K.
The only non metric nations are the USA and Liberia, please do some research