Focke-Wulf Projekt II
Nazi Germany (1943)
Detailing the development and operational history of the Focke-Wulf Projekt II Jet-Powered Fighter Proposal.
Entry last updated on 5/26/2016; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com Focke-Wulf Projekt II
The Focke-Wulf Projekt II jet-powered fighter emerged from designer Kurt Tank during World War 2 as a design study and nothing more.
Famous German aviation engineer Kurt Tank (designer of the Fw 190 and Ta 153 fighters) fleshed out the Project II ("P.2") as another possible solution for a Luftwaffe single-seat, single-engine jet-powered fighter. The design appeared in June of 1943 and was of a sleek appearance with well-contoured surfaces and elegant lines. As with so many other mid-to-late war German jet fighter projects, the P.2 did not make it past the drawing board.
Tank elected for a mid-mounted wing design which showcased sweepback only along the leading wing edges. The cockpit was situated well-forward of midships and under a two-piece canopy providing the pilot with excellent vision of the upcoming terrain and allowing for a short nosecone assembly to be used. Two large fuel tanks were fitted directly aft of the cockpit, producing a raised dorsal spine which limited vision to the rear of the aircraft. The fuselage was of a rounded shape and tapered at the rear to form the tail unit. This assembly featured a single, rounded vertical fin and low-mounted horizontal planes. Unlike other jet fighter proposals of the period, the P.2 fitted its sole turbojet installation under the fuselage in an effort to provide better access to the system for service and repairs by ground crew. The engine of choice was to be the Junkers Jumo 004B/C turbojet, the same as fitted in the Messerschmitt 262 "Schwalbe" - the world's first operational jet fighter. The undercarriage was of a very modern approach, being tricycle in its general arrangement and fully retractable.
Proposed armament for the P.2 was 2 x 30mm MK 103 or MK 108 series cannons mounted under the cockpit floor, the barrels protruding slightly from the forward fuselage sides. 20mm MG 151/20 cannons would have been set in each wingroot (one gun per position).
Estimated performance specifications included a maximum speed of 528 miles per hour, a range out to 400 miles, and a service ceiling of 40,680 feet. Dimensions included a running length of 9.85 meters, a wingspan of 9.7 meters, and a height of 4.4 meters.
There was some criticism of the P.2 design, particularly in the placement of the engine under the fuselage. There were concerns of the drag imposed on the aircraft as well as the nose landing gear creating a disruption of airflow during landing and take-off actions. Additionally, there would always be the threat of such a low intake opening ingesting random airfield debris, damaging the engine and perhaps rendering it powerless. If the pilot was indeed forced to land the aircraft, especially without use of the undercarriage, the engine presented a unique and awkward challenge when attempting to land the P.2 on its belly. In most cases, this would have meant a total loss of the engine - a rather priceless commodity in resource-strapped Germany.
All of these critiques, however, proved moot for the P.2 was never to see the light of day, ending as just another in the long line of forgotten or overlooked wartime Luftwaffe ventures.
Tank elected for a mid-mounted wing design which showcased sweepback only along the leading wing edges. The cockpit was situated well-forward of midships and under a two-piece canopy providing the pilot with excellent vision of the upcoming terrain and allowing for a short nosecone assembly to be used. Two large fuel tanks were fitted directly aft of the cockpit, producing a raised dorsal spine which limited vision to the rear of the aircraft. The fuselage was of a rounded shape and tapered at the rear to form the tail unit. This assembly featured a single, rounded vertical fin and low-mounted horizontal planes. Unlike other jet fighter proposals of the period, the P.2 fitted its sole turbojet installation under the fuselage in an effort to provide better access to the system for service and repairs by ground crew. The engine of choice was to be the Junkers Jumo 004B/C turbojet, the same as fitted in the Messerschmitt 262 "Schwalbe" - the world's first operational jet fighter. The undercarriage was of a very modern approach, being tricycle in its general arrangement and fully retractable.
Proposed armament for the P.2 was 2 x 30mm MK 103 or MK 108 series cannons mounted under the cockpit floor, the barrels protruding slightly from the forward fuselage sides. 20mm MG 151/20 cannons would have been set in each wingroot (one gun per position).
Estimated performance specifications included a maximum speed of 528 miles per hour, a range out to 400 miles, and a service ceiling of 40,680 feet. Dimensions included a running length of 9.85 meters, a wingspan of 9.7 meters, and a height of 4.4 meters.
There was some criticism of the P.2 design, particularly in the placement of the engine under the fuselage. There were concerns of the drag imposed on the aircraft as well as the nose landing gear creating a disruption of airflow during landing and take-off actions. Additionally, there would always be the threat of such a low intake opening ingesting random airfield debris, damaging the engine and perhaps rendering it powerless. If the pilot was indeed forced to land the aircraft, especially without use of the undercarriage, the engine presented a unique and awkward challenge when attempting to land the P.2 on its belly. In most cases, this would have meant a total loss of the engine - a rather priceless commodity in resource-strapped Germany.
All of these critiques, however, proved moot for the P.2 was never to see the light of day, ending as just another in the long line of forgotten or overlooked wartime Luftwaffe ventures.
Any available statistics for the Focke-Wulf Projekt II Jet-Powered Fighter Proposal are showcased in the areas immediately below. Categories include basic specifications covering country-of-origin, operational status, manufacture(s) and total quantitative production. Other qualities showcased are related to structural values (namely dimensions), installed power and standard day performance figures, installed or proposed armament and mission equipment (if any), global users (from A-to-Z) and series model variants (if any).
Focke-Wulf Projekt II Specifications
Nazi Germany
Year: 1943
Type: Jet-Powered Fighter Proposal
Manufacturer(s): Focke-Wulf - Nazi Germany
Production: 0
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 1
Width: 31.82 ft (9.70 m)
Empty Weight: 5,313 lb (2,410 kg)
MTOW: 7,385 lb (3,350 kg)
Installed Power
1 x Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet engine developing 1,965 lb of thrust.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 513 mph (825 kph; 445 kts)
Maximum Range: 398 mi (640 km; 346 nm)
Service Ceiling: 40,682 ft (12,400 m; 7.71 mi)
Rate-of-Climb: 4,000 ft/min (1,219 m/min)
Armament
PROPOSED:
2 x 30mm MK 103 OR MK 108 cannons in forward fuselage.
2 x 20mm MG 151 cannons in the wing roots (one gun per wingroot).
Operators List
Nazi Germany
Series Model Variants
• Projekt II - Base Project Name
Supported Weapon Systems
