Me-410 vs Mosquito combat

[Paul Thompson]

I've done two calculations, see below:

DB 605A on late Bf 109G versions:
1.42 ata / 1044.5 mm Hg / 41.12 in Hg / + 5.97 lb./sq.in (PSI) boost

Merlin 63, 66 and 70 on Spitfire IX:
2.86 ata / 1350 mm Hg / 53.15 in Hg / + 18 lb./sq.in (PSI) boost

This is a fairly simple way of demonstrating Allied technical superiority. Of course, boost is not the only relevant factor. See this graph for the P-47's extraordinary high altitude performance, even at relatively low boost - http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.o...7m-n-speed.jpg. This takes the conversation back to the topic of next generation technology, namely turbosuperchargers.

Regards,

Paul

[Kutscha]

You do know Paul that the German engines were operating at a higher compression ratio than the Merlin.

DB605 7.5/7.3:1 with B4 fuel; 8.5/8.3:1 with C3 fuel

Merlins 6:1

Late model Bf109s were running 1.8ata boost and some even 1.98ata boost.

[Paul Thompson]

Hello Kutscha,

I did know that, that feature of the DB design was a major contibuting factor to the superior performance of the BF 109F compared with its contemporaries. Do you know where to find the compression ratios for other German engines of the period?

The problem with the later higher-boost DB 605s that they remained far behind the Merlins. The DB 605 was beginning to fall apart at 1.98 ata, while at least some later Merlins could cope with +25 lb boost, the equivalent of 2.76 ata:

1.98 ata / + 13.94 lb./sq.in (PSI) boost
2.27 ata / + 18 lb./sq.in (PSI) boost (serious calculation error above corrected here)
2.76 ata / + 25 lb./sq.in (PSI) boost

The question that this raises is why the Luftwaffe was never able to put the DB 605L or equivalent two-stage supercharged version into service. Do you know whether this was a raw materials problem (not enough of the right metals) or a manufacturing problem (inability to mass produce the right alloys) ?

Regards,

Paul

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello guys,

Great discussion here! What puzzles me (and probably several other air war historians as well) is the use of Me410 as a nightfighter. At 'my' airfield Venlo a new 1./NJG 1 was founded which inofficially was named 'Erprobungskommando 410' because this Staffel used a few Me410's in the months of March, April, May and June 1944. So far, we never found ANY photograph of the nightfighter version of the Me410. It is simply unknown whether it carried some FuMG air-to-air radar equipment.

In the Flugbuch of Oblt. Wilhelm Henseler (formerly 4./NJG 1, then 1./NJG 1) some 'Einsätze' were noted:

8th April 1944: from 21.25 to 22.54 hours, Einsatz
9th April 1944: from 21.36 to 23.00 hours, Einsatz
10th April 1944: from 21.36-21.56 hours, Einsatz

These times suggests that these Me410 must have had any sort of equipment to find RAF bombers in the darkness. Any ideas?

All the best, Marcel

[Denniss]

Rather short flights, are you sure it wasn't some night recon/pathfinder work?
The only 410 with FuG I have ever seen photographed are those with Hohentwiel surface search radar.

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Denniss,

Thanks for thinking with me. However, I am quite sure that Henseler used the Me410 for some sort of interception, because the He219's and Bf110G-4's of the 2./NJG 1 and 3./NJG 1 were flying Einsätze too those same nights.

I don't know how long Me410's could be in the air, perhaps their endurance matched those of the Bf110G-4's. The He219's were reknown for their long(er) distance quality which made this nightfighter type quite suitable for the Verfolgungsnachtjagd (Zahme Sau).

All the best, Marcel

[Denniss]

Me 410 had about twice the internal fuel of a Bf 110 although no real drop tank option. Fuel use should have been higher than Bf 110 but it was way faster.
Did they attempt to race-down some Mosquitoes with the Me 410s?

[Marcel Hogenhuis]

Hello Denniss,

They might have tried to use the Me410 for Mosquito-Jagd. Though the Mosquito's were sent to targets in the Ruhr area in the nights I mentioned, I haven't checked yet whether the Mossies could have been near Venlo during the times that Henseler flew the Me410. Good tip and perhaps a lead to new insights, thanks for that!

All the best, Marcel