Arado Ar 234 C Blitz: books - history and deployment

Arado Ar 234

Operational and technical history of the Arado Ar 234, Germany's twin engine World War II jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft.

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Arado Ar 234 Blitz - The world's first jet bomber

When it appeared over the Western Front in the summer of 1944, the Arado Ar234 was truly state-of-the-art in terms of aeronautical and technical development. As the world's first operational jet reconnaissance aircraft, it undertook high-speed, high-altitude observation missions over the Allied beachheads in Normandy.

In September 1944 and as late as 1945, lone Ar 234s carried out reconnaissance over British ports and also over the Mediterranean. Able to deliver 1,000kg of bombs at high-speed and at either low or high level with considerable accuracy, as a bomber, the Arado made a significant impact in support of German ground forces on the Western Front. It was also deployed in offensive operations against Allied troops, vehicle columns and bridges, including those on the infamous Remagen Bridge.

Powered by twin Junkers Jumo 004 B jet engines, those used on the Me262, it had a maximum speed of 735 km/h and range of 1600 km/h. With its superior speed, it could virtually operate with impunity.
As the war progressed, German aero-engineers worked to enhance the design, producing four-engined prototypes, plans for advanced night fighters and other projects which are covered extensively in this book.

This study is the result of nearly fifty years of research and draws upon original Arado, German Air Ministry and Luftwaffe reports and documents, as well as pilot accounts compiled from interviews and personal correspondence, original war diaries, memoirs and other unpublished sources associated with the Ar 234's design, development and operations. The text is augmented by superlative colour artwork and many technical drawings.

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Arado Ar 234 Bomber and Reconnaissance Units (Osprey)

When the revolutionary twin jet-powered Arado Ar 234 first appeared in the skies over north-west Europe in the summer of 1944, it represented the state-of-the-art in terms of aeronautical and technical development. The Ar 234 was a formidable aircraft - powered by Jumo 004Bs, the same engine used by the Me 262, and with a maximum speed of 735 km/h and range of 1600 km/h, it was very difficult for the Allies to 'catch'. Here was a machine that with its superior speed could operate with impunity as both a bomber and in the reconnaissancerole.

As such, the aircraft became the world's first reconnaissance jet, undertaking secret, high-speed, high-altitude observation missions for the German High Command over the Allied beachheads in Normandy and other Allied strongholds. Astonishingly, in September 1944 and as late as 1945, lone Ar 234s conducted reconnaissance flights over British ports and theMediterranean.

The aircraft was equally efficient as a jet bomber - although the Ar 234B-2 bomber variant carried no defensive gun armament, it was able to deliver 1000 kg of bombs at high-speed and at either low- or high-level with considerable and devastating accuracy.

This highly detailed title from renowned aviation historian Robert Forsyth explores the history of this incredible aircraft, from its development in the early 1940s to its deployment in both reconnaissance and bomber roles throughout the rest of the war. The masterful text is supported by stunning, specially commissioned artwork.

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Arado Ar 234 C - An Illustrated History

The Arado Ar 234C was the world's first four turbojet-powered flying machine to be built in series. But it was more than that, and its design and testing raised great hopes among the Nazis. The Ar 234 was nothing less than Adolf Hitler's long awaited "Engländer Bomber". Powered by four BMW 003A-1 turbojet engines, with a combined thrust of 7,040 pounds, early test results indicated that it could reach speeds of over 550 mph even when loaded with tons of high explosive bombs and/or guided missiles.
This complete illustrated history contains over 570 photographs and line drawings

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