Arado Ar 234 Bomber and Reconnaissance Units cover

Description

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.

Table of Contents

1. A New Bomber
2. Reconnaissance - 1944
3. Bomber Debut
4. Reconnaissance - 19452
Remagen and Retreat
Appendices
Colour Plates Commentary
Bibliography and Sources
Index

Product details

Published 17 Sep 2020
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472844378
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Series Combat Aircraft
Short code COM 134
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Robert Forsyth

Robert Forsyth is an author, editor and publisher,…

Illustrator

Janusz Swiatlon

Janusz Swiatlon lives in Krakow, Poland. A veteran…

Illustrator

Mark Postlethwaite

Mark Postlethwaite was born in Leicestershire in 1…

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