Me-410 abilities as a bomber destroyer-Two Opinions

[kaki3152]

From the 492nd BG book "Fortunes of War:

"In the opinion of the crews the E/A pilots were experienced.Prior to a rocket attack from the rear the Me-410s were observed flying about six in trail. Leader would then waggle wings and the E/A would come up into line abreast and fire rockets. Note apparent ability of Me-410s to execute maneuvers usually credited to single engine E/As.Fact that crews report [Me] 410s continuing through the formation after attacking from different clock positions points to high performance characteristics for this twin engined E/A."

From the book "A Luftwaffe Bomber Pilot remembers" by Klaus Haeberlen
(September 1943)
"The B-17 had four engines, each with 1200 hp and two high altitude superchargers. The Americans could use their superchargers at 10,000 and 20,000 ft. thus maintaining the full power of their engines. Our Me-410 however, had two engines each 1750 hp and one high altitude (probably supercharger stage) supercharger which was brought into into play at 10,000 ft. This meant when we were at 20,000 ft altitude we only "half" the power of our engines. How could we sucesfully attack when our Me 410s was "sluggish" to maneuver and slow. My conclusion, was that with this disadvantage, an attack with rockets would not be succesful."

Later in the book:
"The Me 410 was just not capable of attacking the B-17s"

Was the Me-410s reengined with better engines by June 1944?
Was it beacuse ZG-26 was attacking B-24s that flew at lower altitudes?

[George Hopp]

No, the Me 410 carried only the DB 603A engine throughout its operational career. A few Me 410s carried GM-1 for better speed at high altitudes, but as far as I have been able to ascertain only one Zerstorer was ever equipped with it.

[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.

[kaki3152]

Wow, thanks George! That's great information.

I think the Bf-410s had a easier time attacking B-24s than B-17s which typically flew at a higher altitude.

[Nick Beale]

Originally Posted by George Hopp

the Me 410, at maximum take-off weight for the A-2 Zerstorer (11030 kg) couldn't reach the B17's critical altitude.

I think that Haberlen' comments have to be read in the context of airmen's memoirs in general and Luftwaffe ones in particular. I've read several of those where the writer was keen to stress that his comrades fought bravely in the face of overwhelming odds and Allied technical superiority. That's a human reaction that we're all prone to, a more palatable memory than, for example, "man-for-man and plane-for-plane they beat us fair and square."

But memoirs also show something else, that individual aircraft were thought by their pilots to be good or bad examples of the type. The same was true of aircraft they met in combat: regardless of the performance data, people write of being unable to catch or turn with a particular Bf 109 or Typhoon or whatever. The explanation probably lay in the individuals at the controls but we'll never know for certain.

[Denniss]

Was it not possible the re-engine at least some of the Me 410 with DB 603AA engines (with uprated full throttle height) ?

[George Hopp]

Much was possible, but the Me 410 was powered by the DB 603A thoughout its operational life.