BMW Strahljager I (P.I)

Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Proposal

Nazi Germany | 1946

"The Strahljager Projekt I was used by the BMW concern to interest the German Luftwaffe in the potential of its turbojet technology."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/26/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

German engine-maker looked to the future when it placed significant investment in turbojet engine technology. To promote their up-and-coming technological marvels, the company put forth several aircraft designs to showcase the possibilities of the emerging powerplant and two significant proposals became the "Strahlbomber" ("Jet Bomber") and "Strahljager" ("Jet Fighter") types which ultimately encompassed eight total forms (detailed generically as "Projekts"). While none were furthered beyond paper concepts, they stand as particularly interesting additions to the "Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe" during World War II (1939-1945).

BMW was responsible for the famous BMW 003 series turbojet and, later, the more powerful BMW 018 that fell incomplete by war's end. As such, the BMW 003 turbojet engine would be the centerpiece of a fighter design series.

The BMW Strahljager "Projekt I" began the series of four related turbojet-powered designs. This offering was of single-seat, single-engine configuration intended as a high-speed fighter / interceptor to better contend with the waves of Allied bombers wreaking havoc on German war-making capabilities. While the Luftwaffe ultimately settled on such late-war types as the Messerschmitt Me 163 "Komet", Messerschmitt Me 262 "Schwalbe", Dornier Do 335 "Pfiel", and Heinkel He 162 "Volksjager", there were many proposals put forth from well-known and lesser-known industry players of the period.

The arrangement of the first BMW fighter was relatively conventional if somewhat unorthodox: the single-seat cockpit was positioned at the extreme nose-end of the aircraft with a commanding view of the action ahead. A two-piece canopy would be used offering unfettered vision for the pilot. Aft of this would be the turbojet installation embedded in a shallow housing at center-mass, providing balance and the propulsion power necessary for high-speed flight. The engine was to intake at the cut-off nose and exhaust over the tail stem, ductwork running under the cockpit floor. The tail comprised a single boom assembly terminating some distance aft of the body of the aircraft and capped by individual horizontal planes, each mounting vertical control surfaces. A slight inward canting of the vertical tailplanes were noted in the available drawings.

The wing mainplanes were to be positioned low along the sides of the fuselage and taper from root to tip. No sweep was apparent save for the leading edges. Control surfaces would be affixed to the trailing edges.

A powered, wheeled, and retractable tricycle undercarriage would provide for the needed support during ground-running actions. Once retracted, the aircraft maintained its aerodynamic efficiency. The main legs sat under the mainplanes with nose leg at the "chin" position, folding rearwards under the cockpit floor.

Proposed armament was relatively simple and in concert with typical late-war German fighter jets: 2 x 30mm MK 108 internal automatic cannons. The positions of these guns is unknown though they could have been embedded near the nose or at the wing roots.

Like all the other Strahljager designs, the Strahljager Projekt I fell to naught.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the BMW Strahljager Projekt I Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Proposal.

1 x BMW 003 turbojet engine developing between 1,345lb and 1,750lb of thrust.
Propulsion

562 mph
905 kph | 489 kts
Max Speed

39,370 ft
12,000 m | 7 miles
Service Ceiling

621 miles
1,000 km | 540 nm
Operational Range

4,500 ft/min
1,372 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the BMW Strahljager Projekt I Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Proposal.

1
(MANNED)
Crew

29.9 ft
9.10 m
O/A Length

24.6 ft
(7.50 m)
O/A Width

8.5 ft
(2.60 m)
O/A Height

3,307 lb
(1,500 kg)
Empty Weight

6,173 lb
(2,800 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the BMW Strahljager I (P.I) Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Proposal .

PROPOSED / ASSUMED:
2 x 30mm MK 108 internal automatic cannons.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the BMW Strahljager I (P.I) family line.

Strahljager P.1 - Base Project Designation.

Strahljager P.2 - Second form with underslung engine placement, prone cockpit position; conventional tail unit; high-mounted mainplanes..

Strahljager P.3 - Third iteration; twin-boom (unconnected) layout with inward-canted tailplanes.

Strahljager P.4 - Dimensionally larger and heavier offering; ventral engine placement; conventional tail unit; swept-back mainplanes seated ahead of midships.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the BMW Strahljager I (P.I). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 0 Units
Contractor(s): Bayerische Motoren Werke / Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) - Nazi Germany

[ Nazi Germany (cancelled) ]

Similar
Developments of similar form-and-function, or related, to the BMW Strahljager I (P.I) Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Proposal.

Strahljager P.II

Going Further...
The BMW Strahljager I (P.I) Single-Seat, Single-Engine Fighter Proposal appears in the following collections:

HOME

AVIATION INDEX

AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY

AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)