Three engines and two props

[Synthetic]

I have heard that during WW2, The Germans were trying to find ways to avoid Allied fighters. One of the solutions they came up with was to make an aircraft which would fly above the operational ceiling of the Spit et al.

The aircraft they came up with was (I think) a Junkers 88 with three engines. The third was mounted mid fuselage and drove a supercharger which fed the two conventional engines on the wings.

Has anyone any info on this?

Thanks

[diginagain]

One trick they did have was injecting Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas, hence the code-name 'Ha-ha') into the engines, which gave them a limited edge on the Mosquito, for a few minutes at least.

[27mm]

There was also a recce / bomber aircraft with 2 jet engines, think it was called the Arado-AR234. Believe that several flew during the latter stages of WW2 and ceratinly cruised well above 40K, but not sure of exact data.

[wonderboysteve]

The three engined aircraft you are describing was a version of the Dornier 217 I believe; can`t remember the model though...

[BEagle]

You are thinking of the Do 217P, I think?

This was developed as a high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft with a pressurised cabin and was powered by two 1,750 hp DB 603B engines which were boosted by pressurisation from a two-stage supercharger driven by a 1,475 hp DB 605T engine mounted within the bomb bay.

I think that only 1 prototype and 3 pre-production versions ever actually flew though.

[wonderboysteve]

Thats the one BEagle, many thanks!

[Synthetic]

Thanks for all information Gents