Focke-Wulf Volksflugzeug (Peoples Aircraft)

History of the Focke-Wulf Volksplane

"Volksplane" ("people's plane") was developed by the German aviation company Focke-Wulf in the second half of World War II (1939-1945) as a simple, lightweight, A single-seat/single-engine fighter solution to defend a crumbling empire. The aircraft appeared in September 1944 and was proposed, along with other entries, to meet the requirements of the "Volksjager" ("People's Fighter"), an urgent effort to defend Germany from Allied bombers day and night. Like other entries in the series, the People's Aircraft never appeared - although the company proposed swept-wing and rear-wing versions of its flexible aircraft.

Its own technical director, Kurt Tank, had little confidence in the entire Volksjager project, believing that by mid-1945 the Allies would soon outgrow the chosen design.

After the official request was issued on July 8, the People's plane took off in just 10 days. Formed in September. Engineers laid out plans for a single-seat solution, in which the turbojet engine is located at the belly and the wing main aircraft is mounted at shoulder level. The empennage will consist of a high mounted, swept horizontal plane that follows a tapered rod/boom that passes through the exit of the aft nozzle. The nose was supposed to contain air intakes for inhaling the turbojets as well as the full cannon armament.

The intake ducts can run unobstructed under the cockpit floor, and the location of the engine in the center of the fuselage will ensure that only a short duct is required. A retractable tricycle landing gear will be provided for ground operations.

In the main swept aircraft version, the shoulder-mounted wings are swept back along the leading and trailing edges to emphasize the high-speed aerodynamic aspects of the design. Straight blade versions limit high-speed performance but offer a more traditional, less risky solution.

Powered by a BMW 003A-1 series turbojet, the proposed armament consists of 2 x 30mm MK 108 automatic cannons fixed under the cockpit floor and fired forward.

As shown, the fighter has a length of 28.8 feet, a wingspan of 26.6 feet, and a height of 9.3 feet. Loaded weight is 6,725 lbs. Estimated top speed is 510 mph.

Ultimately, the Heinkel 162 was chosen as a promising design by competitors Blohm and Voss (who submitted their ideas to the competition). Thus, when the He 162 entered production and limited service in the final weeks of the war, the Volksplane project was abandoned for any more serious work.

Specification

Basics

Years of Service

1945

Origins

Nazi Germany

Status

Cancel

Development ended.

Crew

1

Production

0

Manufacturer

Focke-Wulf - Nazi Germany

Operator

Nazi Germany (removed)

scrolling

air-to-air combat, fighter

The general ability to actively attack other aircraft of similar form and function, usually using guns, missiles and/or airborne missiles.

Intercept

The ability to intercept incoming airborne threats with high performance, usually speed and rate of climb.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Notable features

wing swept

The main plane or leading edge has retraction lines for improved high-speed performance and handling.

High-speed performance

Can accelerate to higher speeds than the average aircraft at the time.

High performance

The ability to fly and operate at higher altitudes than the average aircraft of the day.

Pilot/crew ejection system

Auxiliary procedures to allow pilot and/or crew ejection in the event of an air emergency.

Depression in crew members

Support the pressurization required for crew survival at higher operating altitudes.

Closed crew room

There are partially or fully enclosed crew work areas.

Scalable

Has retractable/retractable landing gear to maintain aerodynamic efficiency.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

28.9 feet

(8.80m)

Width/span

24.6 feet

(7.50m)

Height

9. 4 feet

(2.85m)

Cured weight

5,401 lbs

(2,450 kg)

MTOW

6,724 lbs

(3,050 kg)

Wgt Difference

+?1,323

(+600 kg)

Main aircraft structure

Monoplane/Shoulder/Sweep

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

swipe back

The floor plan features a swept wing along the leading edge of the main aircraft, promoting higher operating speeds.

(structural descriptors refer to the production variant Focke-Wulf Volksflugzeug)

Performance

Installed:

1 x BMW 003A-1 turbojet with 1,768 lbs of thrust.

Maximum speed

510 km/h

(820 km/h | 443 knots)

Maximum

29,528 feet

(9,000 m | 6 km)

Area

357 km

(575 km | 1,065 nautical miles)

rate of climb

900 ft/min

(274 m/min)

Range (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: > 19030

Weapons

Recommended: 2 x 30mm MK 108 built-in automatic cannons located under the nose.