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    During WWII, Germany experimented with many very advanced concepts in jet and rocket-powered aircraft. Only a very few projects made it past the concept stage, and only a few of those were built even as mockups. This has become one of my favorite modeling subjects. Aside from their exotic appearances, it's fun to come up with conjectural operational color schemes for them.
    For more info on German paper projects, check out Dan Johnson's Luft '46 website.

Arado Ar555 "Amerika bomber" Project Revell of Germany's fine 1/72 Scale kit of a proposed flying wing design that could reach New York from Germany with a respectable bomb load - including an A-bomb, perhaps?.

Arado E580 Volksjaeger Planet Models' 1/72 scale resin kit of Arado's entry into the "Peoples' fighter" design competition. In conjectural markings for II Gruppe/JG27, North Africa.

Arado E583 Planet Models' 1/72 scale resin kit of Arado's massive jet night fighter. In conjectural markings3:09 PM 1/20/2013.

Blohm und Voss P.178 A proposed single-engine Jet dive bomber of asymmetric design. Bronco Models' 1/72 plastic kit, as it may have appeared in the markings of 2./St.G2.

Blohm und Voss P.193.01 A proposed advanced dive bomber to replace the seriously obsolete Stuka. Planet Models 1/72, in spurious desert camo.

Blohm und Voss P.194 Schlachtfleugzeug A concept for a mixed-power, assymetric ground attack aircraft. Revell of Germany 1/72 kit. RLM 02/71/65 camo, with kit decals. Nice to build a Luft 46 subject put out in styrene by a major manufacturer. A very nice model kit.

Blohm und Voss P.196.01 Schlachtfleugzeug A concept for a jet-powered ground attack aircraft. Planet models 1/72 kit. I tried an experimantal "Russian Spring" camo on this one - 02 gray and dark green splinter with white "melting snow" patches

Blohm und Voss P.208/3 Fighter Project A pusher-engined tailless fighter design. Fliegerhorst 1/48 kit in conjectural markings for 9./JG54 in defense of the Reich. Since the design called for the engine to exhaust through wingroot openings, I left off the single fuselage-side exhaust stacks and sealed over the opening.

Blohm und Voss P.212.03 Jet Fighter Project One of my favorites, a very cool tailless jet design. Special Hobby's 1/72 kit as it may have appeared in the markings of 8/JG54

Blohm und Voss AE. 607/P.217 Jet Fighter Project Curiouser and curiouser! A near-delta flying wing with canards. Or whiskers. R/S Models 1/72 resin kit as it may have appeared in desert service.

Daimler-Benz Project "B" Parasite Bomber The lower component of DB's massive intercontinental bomber carrier aircraft. Part of Anigrand Craftswork's 1/144 resin kit of the whole Project B system.

DFS 228 Hohenaufklarer A rocket-powered high altitude reconaissance aircraft. This design actually made it to prototype, and was test flown. Huma Models 1/72 Scale.

Focke Wulf Fw-190 V18 ("What-If") Experimental high-altitude prototype for an FW-190C-series, with a DB-603A-1 engine, an external turbo-supercharger, and pressurized cockpit. Hobby Boss's 1/48 Scale Kit, finished as it might appear in conjectural service with JG1. I added Doppelreiter fuel tanks and 20mm vannon pods from otehr FW-190 kits.

Focke Wulf 3x1000 Entwurf B FW's proposal to meet a RLM requirement for a jet bomber to carry 1000kg of bombs 1000 kilometers at 1000 kilometers per hour. Planet Models resin 1/72 Scale.

Focke Wulf 3x1000 Heavy Fast Bomber Another, newer kit of the above proposal. Modelcollect "Fist of War" series, 1/48 Scale.

Focke Wulf Entwurf II Jet fighter project of 1943 Planet Models resin 1/72 Scale. Kit and various other decals.

Focke Wulf Entwurf III A development of the Ta-183 planform using a Heinkel He S 011 powerplant. Markings inspired by JG54's nice green 190s in Russia. Planet Models resin 1/72 Scale. Aeromaster decals.

Focke Wulf "Flitzer" Jet Fighter A wooden mockup of the this promising design had been completed before war's end, and its influence can be seen on British post-war jets such as the DH Vampire. Planet Models resin 1/72 Scale in JG 27 markings. I have a thing for the desert scheme, apparently.

Focke Wulf "Triebflugel" (Thrustwing) VTOL Interceptor A concept that a test pilot would only come near under life-threatening orders from a Nazi regime. Huma, 1/72 Scale.

Focke Wulf "Triebflugel" (Thrustwing) VTOL Interceptor MiniArt's new lqrge-scale kit released in 2019 Aerobonus resin figure. Scratch-built wooden ladder. MiniArt 1/35 Scale.

Focke Wulf Ta 183 "Huckebein" Jet Fighter FW's jet fighter project that also was very close to fruition at war's end. Its design heavily influenced Russia's MiG-15. Seen here in 1/JG1 in Reich defense markings. Pioneer Models, 172 Scale.

Focke Wulf Ta 183A-1 "Huckebein" Jet Fighter A newer, better kit by new company AMtech in 1/48 Scale, with new research by Dan Johnson. As it would appear in JG2's markings.

Focke Wulf Ta 183B-1 "Huckebein" Jet Fighter The AMtech kit's second version in conjectural Kriegsmarine markings. Major markings are Gekko Graphics decals. The unit badge for the fictional "Sea Ravens" Geschwader, I made up myself.

Focke Wulf Ta 283 Ramjet Interceptor Bizarre design for a rocket-assisted-takeoff ramjet interceptor. As it would appear in JG7's markings. Huma, 1/72 Scale.

Gotha P.60C Night Fighter Intriguing proposal with over-and-under jet engines. Planet Models resin, 1/72 Scale.

Gotha P.60C-1 Zerstorer The heavy day-fighter version of the P.60C. AZ Models, 1/72 Scale. X-4 guided missiles borrowed from DML's Me P.1101

Heinkel He-162 Sparrow (or Salamander) The "Volksjager" (Peoples' Fighter) that was meant to be flown by quickly-trained Hitler Youth, and could barely be handled by experienced fighter pilots without breaking apart. Marginally included in the "Luft '46" category, since it did actually get built in numbers, and MAY have gotten into combat in the last days of the war. Trimaster's 1/48 scale kit.

Haunebu II Flying Saucer Project I'm tould "Haunebu" is an abbreviation of the German words for "Totally made up ridiculous bullshit" (or something like that). This puppy is total fiction. Squadron Models, 1/72 Scale, with True Details gun barrels and Preiser figures.

Heinkel He162D Jet Fighter Unbuilt variant of the actually-built He162 Volksjager, with forward-swept wings and V-tail. Dragon Models, 1/48 Scale.

Heinkel P.1078 Jet Fighter Heinkel's entry into the Emergency Fighter Competition, shown in JG7's markings. Special Hobby, 1/72 Scale.

Heinkel P.1079A Night Fighter One of the most modern-looking designs of the 1940s, it sported features that jet fighters would continue to use for 20 years. Planet Models resin, 1/72 Scale.

Heinkel P.1079B Night Fighter A much smaller concept considered under Projekt # 1079. Planet Models resin, 1/72 Scale.

Heinkel 60-tonne Long Range Bomber Projekt A February 1945 proposal for a 6-jet bomber to carry a 3000kg bomb load, with a range of 28,000km. Fantastic Plastic/Anangrand resin, 1/144 Scale.

Henschel Hs 132A Dive Bomber A proposed jet dive bomber using a prone pilot couch to help reduce G-strain on the pilot during pull-up. A mockup or prototype of this plane was built, but little information remians beyond a photo or two. To be equipped with a BMW 003 turbojet. Huma Models 1/72 kit.

Henschel Hs 132A Dive Bomber A slightly better kit than the old Huma one, released in 2016. RS Models 1/72 kit.

Henschel Hs 132B Dive Bomber/Tank Destroyer Proposed 2-cannon-armed version using a Jumo 004 turbojet. RS Models 1/72 kit.

Henschel Hs 132C Dive Bomber Proposed 4-cannon-armed version using the HE S 011 turbojet. As it may have appeared with a conjectural Maritime Attack unit of KG51, carrying a BT400 torpedo bomb. RS Models 1/72 kit.

Henschel P.75 Proposal for a canard-layout pusher-fighter. Interstingly, the design turned up 50 years later in Rutan's Vari-EZ private plane. Alliance Models resin. 1/72.

Henschel P.87 Schnell bomber Project Another canard from Henschel, this one proposaing a high speed bomber. Planet Models resin. 1/72.

Horten Rocket Wing A boomerang-shaped flying wing projekt from the Horten brothers with rocket engines in the wingtips. Fantastic Plastic 1/72 scale resin kit.

Horten Ho 229 Flying Wing Fighter This is an iffy entry for Paper Projects - the Ho229 Fying Wing project actually produced a flying prototype, but never went beyond a few test flights. Revell/Germany 1/72 scale kit.

Horten 229B Night Fighter This night fighter version of the 229 flying wing was never built. Note that it would have been a stealthy (being plywood), radar-equipped aircraft with ejection seats and air-to-air guided missiles, in 1945! DML (Dragon Models) 1/48 scale kit.

Horten X Supersonic Jet fighter A proposed delta design for a jet fighter. Sharkit's 1/72 resin kit.

Horten XVIII Jet Bomber A proposed flying wing design for a jet bomber to reach New York and return. Anigrand's 1/144 Resin Kit

Junkers EF-126 Pulse-Jet fighter Proposal for the Miniature Fighter Program. Mismatched camo reflects the decentralized subassembly practice. Das Werk 1/32 Scale Plastic Kit

Junkers EF-127 Rocket-Powered fighter Proposal for the Miniature Fighter Program. Some wise guy in JG-1 decided to paint his all red. Das Werk 1/32 Scale Plastic Kit

Junkers EF-128 Jet fighter One of the more promising tailless jet designs. "Snake" camoflouge designed by Daniele Sabatini for Dan Johnson's monograph on the plane.

Junkers EF-130 Jet bomber Anigrand's little 1/144 scale resin kit.

Lippisch delta concept heavy fighter armed with a ventral 75mm cannon pack. 1/72 scale resin kit by Planet Models, Eduard seat belts.

Lippisch proposal for an all-delta ramjet fighter using coal as a fuel Mauve's 1/48 kit with Eagle Strike decals.

Messerschmitt Me-109Z "Zwilling" Night Fighter One prototype was built of the "Siamese Twin" 109 as a proposal for a new heavy fighter using existing tooling. It was destroyed in a bombing raid, and never flew. Here, I imagine what it may have looked like if the plan had been successful and the line continued through a late-war night fighter variant. Two Hobbycraft 109G-2s married to a Cutting Edge resin conversion wing, and radar parts from DML's Ju-88 series.

Messerschmitt Me-209A III/JG51, Reich Defense, late 1945? A proposed improvement over the basic 109, giving it a more powerful engine, better wings and a wide-track landing gear. A 1/48 scale resin kit by Classic Resin Airframes, in conjectural markings.

Messerschmitt Me-262A-1a/U4 Experimental version of the fighter armed with a big-ass 50mm cannon. One or two were actually built and test flown. Hobby Boss' 1/48 kit with Aeromaster decals for "what if" JG7 scheme.

Messerschmitt Me-262 HG III Day Fighter A refinement of the Me-262 jet fighter with more streamlining and buried engines. Amusing Hobby, 1/48 Scale.

Messerschmitt Me-262 HG III Entwurf II (V-Tail) Another proposed refinement of the Me-262 jet fighter with a V-tail. Painted as it may have appeared in the markings of JG 27 in North Africa. Amusing Hobby, 1/48 Scale.

Messerschmitt Me-262 HG III Entwurf III A further refinement of the Me-262 jet fighter placing the cockpit aft in a streamlined vertical tail. Painted for a "wild boar" night fighter mission. Pilot and bomber-mortars taken from a Tamiya kit. Amusing Hobby, 1/48 Scale.

Messerschmitt Me-262 HG III 3-seat Night Fighter A refinement of the Me-262 jet fighter with more streamlining and buried engines, and a radar in the nose. Special Hobby, 1/72 Scale.

Messerschmitt Me-263A-1 Rocket Interceptor A proposed advanced replacement for the Me-163 Komet, built only as a prototype. As it may have appeared in the markings og 2./JG400. Czech Models, 1/48.

Messerschmitt Me-309V2 Prototype for a further evolution of the line, as built and test flown. Czech Models limited run plastic kit in 1/48, with resin cockpit.

Messeschmitt Me-329 Zerstorer Projekt A proposal to replace the lackluster Me-210 twin-engined heavy fighter. This unusual pusher arrangement had a large bomb bay and a remote controlled tail turret. Planet Models, 1/72 Scale. Decals borrowed from an Me-410 of 7./SG 152, a Schlactgruppe (ground attack unit).

Messeschmitt Me-509 fighter Projekt A development of the Me-309 with a mid-engine, forward-cockpit arrangement. Trumpeter, 1/48 scale plastic kit.

Messerschmitt P.08.01 (Jet Variant) Planned long-range 4-engine bomber. I eliminated the pusher propellors to see what a jet-engined version would look like. Anagrand resin, 1/144.

Messerschmitt P.1099 Proposal for an all-weather or long range fighter based upon components of the Me-262. Revell of Germany, 1/72 Scale.

Messerschmitt P.1101 Probably the airplane closest to getting in the air at the end of the war, a mockup had been built but never flown. The Bell X-5 experimental swing-wing plane was a direct lift of this design. DML, 1/72 Scale kit.

Messerschmitt P.1101 Night Fighter The 1101 as it may have appeared as a night fighter with X-4 air-to-air missiles. DML, 1/72 Scale kit, showing the alternate T-tail design.

Messerschmitt P.1106 Jet fighter One of the more radical designs that nevertheless found its way into production Russian jet fighters, such as the Yak-17 after the war. Huma Models 1/72 Scale Kit.

Messerschmitt P.1107 Long-range jet bomber With seatbelts and random cockpit details from Eduard photoetch sets. RS Models 1/72 Scale Kit. RS Models 1/72 Scale Kit.

Messerschmitt P.1110/II A remarkably modern jet fighter designed in 1944, with features that would be used in jets for the next two decades. Planet Models, 1/72 Scale.

Messerschmitt P.1111 January 1945 design for a tailless jet fighter with a lotta wing. PM Models of turkey, 1/72 Scale.

Mistel 5 An interesting proposal to use an He-162 to guide a really frickin' huge powered bomb to targets such as bridges and battleships. DML 1/72 Scale.

Rheinmetal-Borsig VTOL Utterly bizzarre concept for a vertical takeoff interceptor Fantastic Plastic 1/72 resin kit.

Sanger Silbervogel (Silverbird) Concept for a sub-orbital atomic bomber, designed to skip off the upper atmosphere and deliver a bomb on the opposite side (antipode) of the Earth, and continue around the world back to base. 1/72 scale Takom kit (from AMP originally).

Weserflug P.1003/1 A relatively practical-looking tilt-rotor concept Amusing Hobby 1/48 plastic kit, plus eduard seat belts.

Luft '46 IN ACTION!

Some of the above models in fake period photos, just for fun.