Manfred Griehl

This thought-provoking book examines the Nazi German plans to raid and bomb New York and the eastern seabord in the event of a successful invasion of the Soviet Union. The plans rested upon the use of transoceanic aircraft, such as the six-engined Ju 390, Me 264 or Ta 400. The Third Reich was unable to produce these machines in sufficient numbers, however, if the Soviet Union had been conquered, these plans would have become a reality. With the seizure of vital resources from the Soviet Union the Wehrmacht would have had enough fuel and material to mass-produce giant bomber aircraft: it was a near-run thing. The collapse of the Wehrmacht infrastructure and the premature end of the Thousand Year Reich ensured that plans for long-range remote-controlled missiles never got past the drawing board. This fascinating, thoroughly researched study offers valuable insights into how Germany developed new weapons and shows why the attempts to develop long range bombers were frustrated until they were terminated by the end of hostilities. Includes more than a hundred rarely seen photographs and original plans.

From jet planes and high altitude aircraft to radar-equipped fighters configured to deliver chemical weapons, numerous Luftwaffe planes were designed and reached prototype stage but never made it into mass production or battle. Luftwaffe X Planes is a definitive, revelatory guide to the remarkable range of secret planes that the Third Reich failed to complete. Despite the Allied authorities ban on research, countless aircraft were designed and tested by the Luftwaffe and German manufacturers before World War II. The research took place at secret evaluation sites in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden and the USSR. After the outbreak of the war this work continued. Many projects remained on the drawing board or at prototype stage because either they were deemed unsuitable or, as is the case with most of those in this selection, the developers simply ran out of time and the projects never went into production. Renowned aviation expert Manfred Griehl has painstakingly assembled a valuable selection of images which shows the remarkable range of projects dreamed up by the German designers. Had these innovative projects ever been realised the course of the World War II could have been dramatically different.

In this superb illustrated guide, renowned German aviation specialist Manfred Griehl has collected a unique and valuable selection of photographs of Luftwaffe projects that never made it into battle. They remained on the drawing board or at prototype stage either because they were deemed unsuitable or the developers simply ran out of time and the projects never went into production. There are examples of Fw190s developed for the delivery of chemical and toxic weapons, the high altitude Junkers EF 61, the early prototype WNF 342 helicopter as well as numerous examples of developmental jet fighters that could very well have been realised had it not been for the effectiveness of the Allied bombing campaign in restricting the supply of necessary materials. Much of this development work went on to have an important influence on aircraft design in both the East and the West after the Second World War, making this book an essential source not just for those interested in Hitler's Luftwaffe but also in the history of military aviation in general.

Renowned German aviation specialist Manfred Griehl has collected a unique and valuable selection of photographs of Luftwaffe projects that never made it into battle. They remained on the drawing board or at prototype stage either because they were deemed unsuitable or the developers simply ran out of time and the projects never went into production.Most photographs come from the development sites and testing grounds of the major manufacturers of Nazi Germany: companies such as Dornier, Junkers, Focke-Wulf and Heinkel all received funding from the government to develop bigger and faster aircraft. A huge amount of private testing went on with major organisations such as Daimler-Benz, BMW and Siemens investing huge amounts in new engine systems and other advances such as radar.This book also details the innumerable alterations that were made to existing service aircraft to equip them for new roles. There are examples of Fw190s developed for the delivery of chemical and toxic weapons, the high altitude Junkers EF 61, the early prototype WNF 342 helicopter as well as numerous examples of developmental jet fighters that could very well have been realised had it not been for the effectiveness of the Allied bombing campaign in restricting the supply of necessary materials.

This book is a concise history of the world's first operational jet fighter in World War II. This legendary Luftwaffe aircraft is shown in photos, line schemes, and color profiles.

Operational and technical history of Germany's World War II jet fighter aircraft.

Operational and technical history of Germany's World War II jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.

Kurt Tank’s twin-engine, wooden creation, the German “Moskito”, is covered in detail in this new volume. Numerous photos and line drawing show the various types, and proposed future developments.

The famed Bf 109F is shown on a variety of war fronts,with coverage of its various markings, paint schemes (including color profiles), and in up-close detail.

Covers the development and usage of the Siebel Fh 104/Si 204 and all of its variants.

Number 2 in the Luftwaffe Profile Series describes the design and use of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 G/K.

Number 1 in the Luftwaffe Profile Series describes the design and use of the Messerschmitt Me 262.

Covers Hs 126, Bf 110, Me 262, Ju 88, Bf 109, Bv 141, Fw 189 and others.

Number 5 in the Luftwaffe Profile Series describes the design and use of the Junkers Ju 87A.

Covers He 111, Ju 88, Do 17, Do 217, Me 410, Ju 388 et al.

Covers Ar 234, Do 217, Do 335, Ta 154, He 219, Ju 88, Bf 110 and many others.

A concise illustrated guide to the Heinkel He 111H model. Includes color profiles and detailed line drawings.

Number 4 in the Luftwaffe Profile Series describes the design and use of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190.

Covers all German heavy bomber models used during WWII.

Volume II on the Me 262 with emphasis on the units that flew it.