Focke-Wulf Ta 400
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| Ta 400 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Amerika Bomber |
| Manufacturer | Focke-Wulf |
| Designed by | Kurt Tank |
| Primary user | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 1 prototype, never completed |
The Focke-Wulf Ta 400 was a large six-engined bomber prototype developed in Germany in 1943 by Focke-Wulf as a serious contender to for the Amerika Bomber project. One of the first aircraft to be developed from components from multiple countries was also one of the most advanced Focke-Wulf design of World War II. Designed as a bomber and long range reconnaissance plane by Kurt Tank, the Ta 400 had a shoulder mounted wing with a 4 degree dihedral. One of the most striking features was the six BMW 801D radial engines and later two extra Jumo 004 jet engines.
In response to the RLM guidelines of 22 January 1942, the Focke-Wulf company designed a bomber powered by either six DB 603 or Jumo 222 engines. Like the American B-29 Superfortress the Ta 400 was to have a pressurized crew compartment and tail turret, connected by pressurized tunnel. Also like the B-29 Superfortress was the multiple remote controlled turrets. The plane used a staggering 32 fuel tanks. Also the aircraft used a tricycle landing gear. The crew of nine was protected by a heavy defensive armament including ten MG 151 20 mm cannons.
Maximum bomb load was to be 24 tonnes. With a gross weight of 80.27 tonnes, the Ta 400 with DB 603s would have had a range of 12,000 km in the reconnaissance role, cruising at 325 km/h. Bomber versions would have 76.07 tonne and 80.87 tonne gross weights with ranges of 4,500 km and 10,600 km respectively. The projected Jumo powered aircraft would have had a maximum range of 14'000 km for long range reconnaissance and 13,000 as a bomber.[1] The Ta 400 was to have twin vertical stabilizers mounted at the tips of the tail plane, a long straight center section extending to the middle engine on each wing, and highly tapered outer wing panels. The Ta 400 was essentially a backup design for the Me 264. As the design required more materials and labor than the Me 264, the RLM became convinced that further development of the Ta 400 was a waste and on 15 October 1943 notified Focke-Wulf that the program would be terminated[2].
[edit] Specifications
Data from[citation needed]
General characteristics
- Crew: 6
- Length: 28.7 m (94 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 45.8 m (150 ft 3 in)
- Height: ()
- Loaded weight: 60,000 kg (132,000 lb)
- Powerplant: 6× BMW 801D, 1,700 hp (1.3 MW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 635 km/h (343 kt)
- Range: 9,000 km (4,860 nm)
Armament
- Guns: 10x MG 151/20 in five twin turrets
- Bombs: 10,000 kg total
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Griehl, Manfred. Luftwaffe over America. London: Greenhill Books, 2006. ISBN 978-0-7607-8697-0.
- Herwig, Dieter and Rode, Heinz. Luftwaffe Secret Projects: Strategic Bombers 1935-45. Earl Shilton, UK: Midland Publishing, 2000. ISBN 1-85780-092-3.
[edit] External links
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