Submarines and their Weapons - Aircraft of World War II

Above: The Ar 234B was found to be underpowered, and
the obvious solution was to double up on the powerplants
to produce the Ar 234C. Both reconnaissance and nightfighter
versions were built alongside the bomber variant.
four 004B engines of 900kg (19841b) thrust each, two
suspended from the wings, the other two mounted on
the fuselage sides, just below and aft of the cockpit. It
would have two Walter 501 rockets to assist take-off.
The prototype aircraft made its maiden flight on 16
August and proved to be predictable in flight, though
wing flexing was more of a problem than had been
anticipated and when it yawed the trailing wing tend-
JET AIRCRAFT
ed to lift and create a rolling moment. On the whole,
however, results were positive, and work went ahead
on the construction of a second prototype with a purpose-built
fuselage, to be powered by six BMW 003
turbojets, four wing-mounted and two mounted on the
fuselage. In July, however, a new Führerdirectiv instigated
the Reichsverteidigungs programme, which
ordered all development work not concerned with
Below: An early Ar 234 screeches down the runway as it
lands on its skids. Such a landing arrangement was out of
the question for operational purposes, so the fuselage
was widened and main wheels and a nosewheel fitted.