[George Hopp]

OK, here are the combat power speeds, as graphed by the Germans, for the B17 and B24 (from Voigtsberger, 14-12-44). They are compared with the speeds of the Me 410, from a Rechlin report of Jan 1944, at combat power at weights of 11.3 tons and 9.5 tons. The Rechlin chart is not very clear: The height goes from 1000 to 11000 meters, and the speed from 460 to 600 kph.

So, what does the speed comparison show? That according to the German charts, the Me 410, at maximum take-off weight for the A-2 Zerstorer (11030 kg) couldn't reach the B17's critical altitude. But, with a landing weight of what appears to be 9277 kg had a 100 kph speed advantage over the B17 at its critical altitude. Mind you, this is for the a/c with 2 x MK 103s, which were slightly heavier than the WB 151 belly pack. So, as Klaus Haeberlen notes, if the Me 410s hadn't climbed well ahead of the bombers and burned off some fuel, they could be in trouble in trying to attack them.