Do217 V-1 carrier?

[Brian]

Hi guys

Just been reading Luftwaffe: The Allied Intelligence Files (Staerck & Sinnott).

There is a report that a PRU Spitfire pilot over Zoutkamp, Holland, sometime in September 1944, engaged (although not armed) a Do217 with a V-1 mounted on top of the fuselage. The Dornier promptly released the V-1 and evaded.

Can anyone elaborate on this incident, please?

Cheers
Brian

PS: I have just come across reference to Lt Clifford J. Price (397FS/368FG) who claimed four Do217s destroyed on a Czech airfield sometime in 1945, reporting they had V-1s under their wings. Did Do217s really carry V-1s? I have a note that four He111s of KG53 were destroyed during a strafing attack on Alt-Lonnewitz airfield on 21/3/45 - any connection? Do we know the date of Price's attack? He was awarded a DFC (US) for this mission.
Last edited by Brian : December 9th, 2006 at 01:32.

[Juha]

Hello Brian
I have never heard on 217 carrying V-1 which doesn't mean much. My quess is that the thing top of fuselage was a big ramjet or the big (12"?) recoilless cannon both of which were flight tested on top of 217's fuselage or Me 328 which was also photoed placed over the fuselage of a 217. Those under wing were probably Hs 293s missiles or maybe even a test set of LT 950B torpedos (with wings) even if IMHO the date was late for LT950B testing if the date was March 45.

So only quesses not facts!
Juha

[Juha]

CORRECTION
The cannon was 14" G104 and it was designed to be slung UNDER Do 217. Sorry, I have seen a drawing of the weapon in late 70s were it was drawn over the fuselage of 217 but obviously the artist had made a mistake, maybe because the massive ramjet (20 000 hp) was rigged over fuselage. The newer info is from Tony Williams' book and from Griehl's Do 217-317-417 book. And in those 2 books there is no sure indication that the weapon system ever flew.

According to one caption in Griehl's book (p. 59) Do 217E-2 (RE+CD) flew with the Sänger ramjet between 16 Sept 43 and 30 Aug 44.

HTH
Juha

[Brian]

Thanks Juha

When next visiting PRO I will endeavour to find the PR Spitfire pilot's report. At present I do not even know his name or unit! Or the actual date.

Cheers
Brian