Dornier Do P.252

History

Dornier's experience in developing its unique Do 335 "Pfeil" ("Pfeil") fighter-bomber/extreme bomber drew attention to the recognition of relatively inefficient aircraft The propulsion of the head-mounted engine ("puller") is combined with that of the stern-mounted engine ("pusher"). While this resulted in a very fast propeller-driven aircraft capable of reaching speeds of 474 mph, it limited nose mounting (in terms of weapons and equipment) and reduced the pilot's visibility outside the cockpit.

Therefore, a modern design fighter of similar size was considered, with two propeller units located at the rear of the aircraft and the engine itself in a straight line and at the rear of the cockpit - the nose is fully available for weapons and radar.

As early as August 1941, Dornier was conducting design studies for a capable high-performance night fighter, and this work produced some promising projects. It wasn't until the Do 335 took shape and made its first test flight in October 1943 that engineers could collect and process data on the unique twin-engine configuration.

Introduced in 1944, the Do 335 served only for the remainder of the war (the conflict would end in 1945), and a total of 37 units were produced before the end.

There are several notable offshoots of the Do 335, including the jet-powered "P. 256" (described in detail elsewhere on this site). Another more traditional power supply was the project aircraft "P. 252", which used the aforementioned "twin thruster" propeller arrangement.

The influence of Do 335 can be seen in the design lines chosen for P. 252. The design is a large, heavy fighter jet with a crew seated behind a nose cone under a thick glass cockpit.

The rear fuselage line is raised behind the pilot, so this restricted rear visibility thus creates more interior space for fuel, life support and avionics. The fuselage is streamlined, lean and long, with a tapering tail - to accommodate a cruciform fin arrangement (including a shorter ventral surface).

Behind the stern is a twin propeller unit. Like the Do 335, a state-of-the-art tricycle undercarriage is installed for ground operation.

Wing main aircraft swept back, V-shaped and rounded tips and air intakes at the root (these power the front engine mounts). Air intakes are also located on the port and starboard sides of the fuselage (feeding both engines), while the exhaust ports for each engine are located on the sides of the fuselage.

Design work on this aircraft began in 1943, but it wasn't until January 1945, when data became available, and the continuing need for a new high-performance night fighter, that the P. 252 gained momentum. The discovery of the rear-engine approach allowed the fighter's nose to accommodate heavy weapons and radar (and provide the pilot with excellent forward visibility), resulting in a complete "bomber-destroyer" ("Zerstorer") machine.

Dornier developed plans for three different possible in-service forms, "P. 252/I", "P. 252/II" and "P. 252/III".

The P. 252/I was completed in February 1945 as a two-seater (crew sitting back to back). The second crew member is a dedicated radar operator, helping to reduce the workload of the mission. The main wing of this proposed aircraft is straight and does not look back.

Specification

Principles

Year of Service

1946

Origins

Nazi Germany

Status

Cancel

Development ended.

Crew

3

Production

0

Manufacturer

Dornier - Nazi Germany

Operator

Nazi Germany (removed)

scrolling

air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Intercept

The ability to intercept incoming airborne threats with high performance, usually speed and rate of climb.

Ground attack (bombing, strafing)

The ability to conduct air strikes against ground targets using (but not limited to) artillery, bombs, rockets, rockets, etc.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

56. 4 feet

(17.20m)

Width/span

51. 8 feet

(15.80m)

Height

16.6 feet

(5.05m)

Cured weight

18,960 lbs

(8,600 kg)

MTOW

27,117 lbs

(12,300 kg)

Wgt Difference

+8,157 lbs

(+3,700 kg)

Performance

Installed:

2 x Junkers Jumo 213J 12-cylinder liquid-cooled inline piston engines, each up to 1,750 hp (integrated MW50 injection) in series and driving 2 x three-blade propeller units in opposite directions.

Maximum speed

578 km/h

(930 km/h | 502 kn)

Maximum

41,010 feet

(12,500 m | 8 km)

Area

870 km

(1,400 km | 2,593 nautical miles)

rate of climb

1,850 ft/min

(564 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

Proposed: 2 x 30mm MK 108 autocannons in nose. 2 x 30mm MK 213c automatic cannons are located on the lower front fuselage. 2 x 30 mm MK 108 automatic cannons approaching the midship, firing upwards. Optional: 2 x 250kg or 500kg conventional drop bombs for fighter-bomber roles.