Secret Nazi Aircraft, 1939 -1945: Luftwaffe's Advanced Aircraft Projects - David Crocker [epub]

A compilation of surviving technical data and engineering information on the aircraft projects that were ongoing in Germany between the years 1939 and 1945. A short section of background material is also given at the beginning of each chapter, to help readers appreciate the environment and culture that existed in these research organizations in those times.

The projects were selected for their advanced technological content and their unorthodox approach to aircraft design. To the reader many of these programs may have a familiar look and that is not too surprising; since they were to be the inspiration and source of engineering data, for most aeronautical research work, that was to take place in the world throughout the later part of the century. Aeronautical development that took place in the West and also in the Eastern bloc had their beginnings in Germany during World War II. This trend was to continue for at least three decades following the end of hostilities in Europe.

Familiar war-birds such as the Sabre Jet and the MIG-15 are direct descendants of projects which started at Messerschmitt and Focke Wulf during the war years. Who can deny the resemblance of those fighters that emerged in 1950's to the Ta 153 and the ME P 1101 of the 1940's. The so called groundbreaking supersonic Bell X series of aircraft flown by legendary test pilot Chuck Yeager in the 1950's had their beginnings in the high-speed research programs of the Nazi regime (8-346 supersonic research aircraft).