The Blohm & Voss Schiffswerft und Maschinenfabrik (shipbuilding and engineering works) company was founded in 1877 by Hermann Blohm and Ernst Voss. After World War I, Blohm & Voss continued production of ships, but also reoriented to the production of aircraft (especially flying boats). In the following years, the company managed to cooperate with Lufthansa…

Werft Warnemünde, later known as Arado, was an aircraft manufacturer that was founded during the Great War, in 1917, as a subsidiary of Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen. In 1921, this company was purchased by an engineer, Heinrich Lübbe, who was more interested in designing and building ships. In 1924, it was once again engaged in development of…

[caption id="attachment_11303" align="alignleft" width="400"] The prototype, MM 408, in its natural metal finish. [Rod's Warbirds][/caption]Officine Meccaniche Reggiane SA (Reggio Emilia in Northern Italy) was a WWI-era aircraft manufacturer. However, after the war, the Reggiane was not involved in any aircraft production or design work. Things started moving only during the thirties, when Reggiane became a…

Wingspan 196 ft / 60 m Length 145 ft / 43.4 m Height 35 ft 9 in / 10.9 m Wing Area 3,875 ft² / 360 m² Engine Six 2900 hp Daimler-Benz DB 603 Empty Weight 120,500 lb / 54,660 kg Maximum Takeoff Weight 207,990 lb / 94,340 kg Maximum Speed 220 mph / 355…

Illustrations by Ed Jackson [caption id="attachment_10991" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fi 167A-0 in service with Erprobungsstaffel 167 in the Netherlands 1940 - Equipped with a centerline rack and torpedo[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10992" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fi 167A-0 (W.Nr.08) in service with Erprobungsstaffel 167 in the Netherlands 1940 - Seen here sporting a different camo pattern[/caption] [caption id="attachment_10993" align="alignnone" width="1280"]…

He 219 V1-V12 – First built prototypes V13-V34 – Used to test various equipment and engines, He 219 A-0 – Pre-production version, around 100 built. R1 – Had larger fuselage and armament of two MG 151/20 and two MK 108 R2 – Had strengthened undercarriage R3 – Armed with two MG 151/20 and four MK…

The men responsible for the creation of the Volksjäger idea and concept were civil engineers Hauptdienstleiter Dipl-Ing Karlo Otto Saur, who was also a member of the Nazi party, and Generaloberst Alfred Keller. Otto Saur was quick to realize that by 1944 the Luftwaffe was a shadow of its former glory. This was most obvious…

Illustrations by Haryo Panji https://www.deviantart.com/haryopanji [caption id="attachment_5584" align="alignnone" width="800"] Drawing of the S-2M-103.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5582" align="alignnone" width="800"] View of the engine compartment interior.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5579" align="alignnone" width="800"] Rear view of the S-2M-103.[/caption] Credits Gordon, E. & Khazanov, D. (1998). Soviet combat aircraft of the Second World War. Leicester Osceola, WI: Midland Pub. North American trade distribution…

Illustrations by Haryo Panji https://www.deviantart.com/haryopanji [caption id="attachment_5277" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fiat G.50 Prototype[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5278" align="alignnone" width="1280"] Fiat G.50 "1-1" belonging to Mario Bonzano in Spain[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5279" align="alignnone" width="1280"] G.50 MM4743 in Finnish Service[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5280" align="alignnone" width="1280"] G.50 bis in Croatian Service circa 1941[/caption] [caption id="attachment_5281" align="alignnone" width="1280"] G.50 B MM6137 in Luftwaffe Service[/caption] [caption…

During sharp up and down turns while flying an aircraft, strong g-forces appear that act on the pilot, potentially leading to loss of consciousness. Under normal flying conditions, the g-forces that appear are relatively harmless. The first effect of the g-force which the pilot notices is the difficulty of moving his body normally, as normal…