The Victories of the Heinkel He 100 and the Falke

[Paul MacQ]

One of the interesting things to me is how German Politics caused several interesting projects come to naught. This will be a Timeline regarding 2 “What ifs”

The Germans entering WW2 made some choices to streamline the Number of Aircraft as it seemed War was immanent; some of these choices in my opinion were Just plan wrong.
The 2 subjects for my little change in priorities are
Focke-Wulf Fw 187 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke-Wulf_Fw_187 Falke
Heinkel He 100 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_100
This time we start with a presentation by Khurt Tank head of design for Focke-Wulf showing his Model and design plans for the Fw 187 a sleek tight single seat fighter with the Projected Power plants of 2 the newly developed and very much sort after BD600 that produced 1000 hp , Wolfram von Richthofen, chief of the development section of the Technischen Amt 1936 Made the point of wanting the much less powerful yet more available Jumo 210 to be used. ( PoD Willy Messerschmitt who steps over the line and sitting on von Richthofens Desk is a less than polite demand for more DB600 for his preseous Bf 109 to build the D model to replace the B and C modes already in service. With a somewaht annoyed memory of Willy on back of mind), After some pushing and Tank persuades Richthofen to be award 2 Prototypes instead of 3 but yes 4 of the precious engines will be made available.
Allocations are made when 1937 Udet steps in taking over from von Richthofen and visits the for the first flight of Fw 187 V1 a total success and impressive slender racer of a plan then over the coming month shins and shows it’s stunning performance

With a short Take off with power screaming at 2000hp flight later test show a stunning speed for the time 385mph at 13,800 feet far faster than any fighter too date ( am trying to e concervative her I am thinking would be 400Mph capable ). The ability in Dive and climb an outrun the Bf109. and this with Armament installed of 2 MGFF 20 mm cannon and 2 MG 17 MGs. One of the later tests showing something that no other German combat aircraft could do when a flame out on a port engine ( DB600 is not fully developed and rather Unreliable ) during an important demonstration the Pilot keeps flying and even does a Barrel role over the visiting VIPs before landing, Not known to them that is was not part of the display
(OTL with the Jumo210 running a low pressure cooling system and very poor performer at high altitude the Fw187 was able to 325 mph (50 miles per hour more than a Bf 109B with same powerplant) and climb with and out dive a Bf 109D
Now the Position of Zerstorer is being contested the Fw187 has one major failing with contemporary thought not a 2 setter, But the clear speed advantage making this aircraft untouchable, Twice the Range of a Bf109 and much faster
Now what way to choose (this aircraft is a very different creature to a Me110 and has the disadvantage of no internal volume to ne made into a Good night fighter in the late ar with no room for Radar and the like But I am thinking of a different path for it)
I am looking at a Good ranged Fighter/Fighter Bimber and untouchable Recon plane for the early war.

Work on the He 100 in next instalment

 

[Just Leo]

I've always thought the FW-187 superior to the Me-110 and the British Flight magazine featured information on it long after it was toast. The He-100D/He-113 was far easier to understand. Heinkel builds bombers. If you don't believe me, just ask the powers that were. Everybody made mistakes. How about a duel between a Falke and a Merlin Whirlwind?

 

[Paul MacQ]

I've always thought the FW-187 superior to the Me-110 and the British Flight magazine featured information on it long after it was toast. The He-100D/He-113 was far easier to understand. Heinkel builds bombers. If you don't believe me, just ask the powers that were. Everybody made mistakes. How about a duel between a Falke and a Merlin Whirlwind?

Yes Heinkel Does make bombers and the He111 were very much taking Henkel’s priorities.

But my planning for the He100 does not involve Heinkel Producing it or for that matter no large series production in Germany, Thinking of Heinkel producing less tham 30 in Germany. OTL The gigs for making the plane were going to be sent to Japan, no one knows what happened to them This Timeline I do.

Now what German Allies need a High performance fighter that is reputed to need few Man hours to make in fact easier produce than a Me109. The He100’s performance is one thing but the ease of production is more often overlooked (and for that Matter always thought the He100 looked like a Ki61 what happened to those completed Japanese airframes when the Engine they used had Factory Destroyed)

Falke and a Merlin Whirlwind

So close you could be a mind reader

Regarding thoughts of Battles between Taurus Whirlwind and Gnome-Rhône Falke Armoured attack versions. As a slight foreshadow of were I might be heading down the track.

 

[Paul MacQ]

Now coming at a time that German Volunteer forces are fighting in Spain and already some German Manufacturers are getting Orders, The Sales staff bring members of Nationalist purchasing commission and give a Demonstration of the amazing Falke. This amazing aircraft almost sales itself, Ye one problem Khurt Tank’s use of the DB600 backfire no way will the RLM not giving permission for this engine to be exported at this stage. Other options would need to be looked at Germany at this stage was under Major build up so Khurt looked outside of German for Power plants to improve chances of Export.

French engines were looked at but was decided that politically not expedient, and since Liquid cooled Inline engines in production powerful enough were short supply in 1937 is was decided to look at Radial but far from looking a power as first priority Khurt Tank decides one a neat compact engine for export already License produced in several countries Pratt & Whitney R-1535 Twin Wasp Junior producing 825 hp on 87 octane fuel but most importantly for the streamlining purposes a small 44 inchs in diameter and a Lighter weight of under 500kg. A tight neat cowling that would lead to other Radial engine fighters by Khurt Tank

It was known that a aircraft using this engine would not have the performance of the DB600 engine model but betting it would still have a clear speed advantage over any opponents.

In November 1937 the first of 2 Prototypes of what will later be called the Fw 187C and surprisingly does very well in tests Though a far cry from the Rocket ship Fw 187B a top speed of 335 mph is very competitive for the day. So successful plans are also looked at for a Larger R-1830 to be as a possibility. Spanish commission visit in Feb 1938 disappointed with the lower performance aircraft, but thinking but far superior than a Dutch design they had looked at Permission is given for a Production of 60 for Spain this coming 1 month after the first orders for a Photo recon version of the DB600 Fw187 is given, Luftwaffe still unsure about a single seat Zerstorer Total orders are only 105 including those for Spain, small start But plams for Production

 

[Paul MacQ]

He100 Mixed Frustration and Elation ( PoD in this Walter Gunter head designer got distracted in a meeting regarding the New Fw187)

In Typical fashion for Ernst Heinkel a man of almost unstoppable optimism and vision. The loss of the competition for the New Luftwaffe fighter (Bf109) hardly slowed the man down, The He112 was a great aircraft and many new features not seen in other aircraft, His sights set as far into the future starts planning yet another Fighter a super-pursuit., Nothing this times was going to be left to chance sitting down for many hours with experts like Designer Walter Gunter structural expert Heinrich Hertel a new idea and plane came together.

This new Fighter Temporarily called the He113 was Radical even for the advanced thinking Heinkel. Every possible system of Drag reduction, Yes keeping things as simple a possible, 2 aims that would come into conflict, At the end of October 1937 the design was submitted to the RLM, complete with details on prototypes, delivery dates and prices for three aircraft delivered to the Rechlin test center.

Now with a smile and already having previously discussed with one Khurt Tank developments and shortages of DB600 and later BDB601 engines for their design, Ernst Heinkel is given an Ultimatum by Udet in front of old friend Goering

Smiling wide at the proposal and hopping this aircraft can come up to expectations but seeing a look of worry on his old friend Goering face, Knowing it was related to discussion of war production and Numbers. Yet very much liking and what he was seeing in the proposal decides to hedge his bets …. potential Super fighter can live up to expectations. Yet also Goering upset with some of Udet’s selections and coming down hard being too lenient on the Industrialists of late.

Udet looking up to Heinkel “Ernst my good friend I am impressed and by all accounts a fantastic and most professional presentation as usual , But I am worried about 1 small contradiction you seem to have overlooked, now let me read here ,, To ease production, the new design had considerably fewer parts particularly here 969 unique parts with 11,543 rivets. And with this proposed explosive rivet technique mentioned most impressive and likely to save many man hours. Then Udet looks back into the Presentation folder given to him. Now with a sinking feeling the group from Heinkel waits for the But, too follow with such a pause.

Udet finally looking up looking to friend Goering seeing a hint of wander at what is coming next, before looking back to Ernst Heinkel “ This evaporation Cooling is the contradiction it concerns me that this Technology has so little Maturity it concerns me greatly I could see it a major pitfall and also complex.“ Glancing over to Goering for reassurance he is on right path. “Come back to me next Month with a revised Proposal I am not wanting all eggs in the same Basket but will be Generous 4 Prototype not 3 BUT!... you will get 2 DB engines and the other 2 Aircraft will use as much structure as the DB Engine ones, No Evaporation Cooling and will be stuck with the Jumo 211B and objective is to get the Best possible performance for the Lowest Cost and Risk. Wings Tail and everything possible to be the same apart of course this engine. I do expect the way your wanting to so closely cowl the engine they will have to have different front ends, and my Priority Ernst is not the DB Engine Models that will be called by even number Prototypes the 211 engine Models Odd, starting with the number 1 “Standing now and holding out hand as to end of conversation “Thank you Ernst I look forward to seeing you by 20th Next month.

Goering stands shakes hands and the Members of the Heinkel group leave then sitting for Coffee and cake the 2 olds friends sit facing each other” Well little Jokester That was a surprise” Udet looking weary now relaxes a little “Well my Friend These industrialists and there Dreams, If they want me to make the impossible happen with procurement as you kept hounding me. Let them show me some Miracles “now grinning “But would love to fly one of those toys” Goering’s eyes rise to the ceiling. Then breaks into laughter “Some things never change “

The plane that saved Ernst Heinkel’s Fighter aspirations, that was called by him latter as his unloved Ugly Duckling

 

[Just Leo]

Nice touch. I've always drawn them with a Mustang scoop but the D-9 nose looks good.

 

[BlairWitch749]

When I first joined I posed the question of having the FW-190 ready in time for the Battle of Britain. The board seemed to concur that with Britain's other natural advantages in the operation it would just lead to a slightly higher kill ratio but not actually effect the outcome in anyway

 

[Paul MacQ]

When I first joined I posed the question of having the FW-190 ready in time for the Battle of Britain. The board seemed to concur that with Britain's other natural advantages in the operation it would just lead to a slightly higher kill ratio but not actually effect the outcome in anyway

Ok will clarify some of my thinking here

Battle of Britain would be a Tall Order that is True, What I am going to be aiming at The Title is about series of small Victories that can make changes in all sort of areas,

But chuckles can imagine Goering turning up a luftwaffe airfirld in France Airfield during BoB and asking " If you need anything to win this Battle what could I do for you
“ Give us More Squadrons of He100 “

Fw187 has won its first victory i.e. it got into Production. The He100 will be inline next to win Orders.

My interest in the He100 is the development of an aircraft that is a Competitive fighter that was designed from the start with airframe with ease of Manufacture
I am looking at a few Twists in the coming war. Those effects on the BoB, One of the Things on mind but not major factor, but influence on French and British design is also on my mind.

Does not get around Shortage of Materials later in war only so much that can go around

Also before the start of the war I want the Germans getting idea in there head designing with mass Manufacture in mind is a good thing. Until Spear took over later in the War who was responsible to War Production, or at least had Influence over it in a small way.

Not just the Germans could learn lessons here to quote the Wiki for a Maachi C202 and mention of Reggiane Re2001 some of my favourite WW2 fighters. Remember the He100 airframe minus The Orginal complicated vulnerable Prototype Cooling system is easier to build than a Bf 109

C202
“The complexity of the structure was not well suited to mass production, and resulted in a limited production rate compared to the Bf 109E/F (usually rated at 4,500-6,000 man-hours) while the Macchi needed 22,000 or more.[9] The growth of the C.202 project was slower than that of the Re. 2001; but, by employing both mass production techniques and less expensive advanced technologies, the production cost was slightly less than that of the Reggiane Re.2001, (525,000 lires vs 600,000); this latter, the only other DB-601 fighter in mass production, was slower and heavier (2.460/3.240 kg) [10] but had a bigger wing and a more advanced and adaptable structure.Breda, Milan was also chosen to build the C.202 and eventually built the majority of the type. SAI-Ambrosini was another sub-contractor, building some 100 C.202s.

Countries like Hungary Built the Complicated Re2000 with complex wing structure.
The He100 can fill in the slot of some of the Fait CR32s and CR42s Fokker XX1 in These 3rd rate powers Well before Barbarossa Axis air forces is more important to me that what I was planning the Germans doing with them.

Production of the DB Range of Engines will still be one chock point, So I am looking at what I have done for the Fw187 and looking at getting idea of the Power Egg building a Aircraft giving maximum options for engines

Yes well this little timeline is a old interest of mine. I am not going to be making these 2 Aircraft War Winners or maybe hmm. At this stage keeping scope much more limited.

Now what would be the performance of a He100 with a R1830 Engine Commercial Versions at this stage producing 950-1070 Hp ( similar to what happend under far different circumstances with the Ki61 becoming a Ki100)

Also what could a He100 airframe do to the Thinking of Japan that OTL showed allot of Interest in it, Another Nation that put Lightness of structure before all else, Including being able to produce in numbers

This little project is to get me writing a while I am doing my Major Project that needs allot of research that of a later start if WW1 from a rather Different 1st and only Balkan war in and a different out come in 1912. This little project is allot less work than the Porcupine ride of sorting out 1912 Balkan Politics and Characters . This is just lighter and easier for now.

 

[Just Leo]

I seem to recall that the Japanese thought the wing loading was too high. what features incorporated into the wingier KI-61 are conjectural. Of course, the Japanese lapsed into the Ki-44 Shoki with high wing loading. And drop tanks would have an influence on BoB and were doable in timely fashion, but were not used until later. And Blairwitch 749's FW-190's would have to face my modified Gloster F.5/34's with post-war Bristol Hercules. Sorry. Carry on.