The development of aviation engines in Germany was revolutionary during closing stages of the War. In 1945, the Daimler Benz, Jumo and BMW engines in service, equipped with power boosting systems, generated 2,000 hp. There were prototypes that could generate 3,000 hp and BMW/ Argus projects could reach 4,000 hp. To benefit from their extreme performances, Blohm und Voss, Daimler Benz, Dornier, Focke Wulf, Heinkel, Henschel, Messerschmitt and Skoda designed an impressive series of fighters that never left the drawing board. The reason was the decision taken by the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe to mass-manufacture the iconic and revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. This lost generation of projects were quickly forgotten and after years of research have been recovered and presented in this book. Profusely illustrated with technical drawings and fascinating data and information on the Luftwaffe's most radical fighter projects, Justo Miranda chronicles these revolutionary designs that might have changed the course of the war. A fascinating book for the military historian, modelers and those interested in aviation, this shows how advanced German scientists were towards the end of the Second World War and how the beloved Spitfire and Mustang would have been instantly superseded by radical Nazi fighters.
The development of aviation engines in Germany was revolutionary during closing stages of the War. In 1945, the Daimler Benz, Jumo and BMW engines in service, equipped with power boosting systems, generated 2,000 hp. There were prototypes that could generate 3,000 hp and BMW/ Argus projects could reach 4,000 hp. To benefit from their extreme performances, Blohm und Voss, Daimler Benz, Dornier, Focke Wulf, Heinkel, Henschel, Messerschmitt and Skoda designed an impressive series of fighters that never left the drawing board. The reason was the decision taken by the Oberkommando der Luftwaffe to mass-manufacture the iconic and revolutionary Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. This lost generation of projects were quickly forgotten and after years of research have been recovered and presented in this book. Profusely illustrated with technical drawings and fascinating data and information on the Luftwaffe's most radical fighter projects, Justo Miranda chronicles these revolutionary designs that might have changed the course of the war. A fascinating book for the military historian, modelers and those interested in aviation, this shows how advanced German scientists were towards the end of the Second World War and how the beloved Spitfire and Mustang would have been instantly superseded by radical Nazi fighters.
Über den Autor
Born with the B-52, this tech drawer and Spanish Air Force Museum advisor uses advanced drawing methods to rebuild historical aircraft, starting from original parts. Historian specialized in German Secret Weapons; he usually works in the twilight zone between rational engineering and Nazi esotericism, without letting himself being dragged by the dark side of the force. His research has helped to deconstruct several myths on the flying saucers and the Hitler A bomb. Justo has published six books and thirty monographs on aeronautical subjects. He lives in Madrid with his wife Paula, journalist at Reuters and co-author of his works.
