German crossGermany's Balkenkreuz aircraft marking

Germany's Dornier Do 335 fighter
Nickname: Pfeil ("Arrow")

Photos

Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter with it's tail shot up:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter with it's tail shot up
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335A-12 Pfeil (Arrow) trainer:
Germany's Dornier Do 335A-12 Pfeil (Arrow) trainer
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter:
Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfeil (Arrow) fighter
 

Design

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil used a push pull system patented by Dr. Claude Dornier in 1937.1

Engines

The front engine was located in the nose, and the rear engine was located in the middle of the fuselage with a long shaft running to the pusher propellar.1,2

Tail

The tail was in a cruciform shape.1

Undercarriage

The Do 335 had a tricycle undercarriage.1,2

Prototype

The concept of the Dornier Do 335 was tested on a small aircraft, the Go 9, built by Schemp-Hirth.1 The push pull system was shown to work.1

The Do 335V prototype first flew on September 19432 / October 26, 1943.1

Production

  • Dornier Do 335V: 141
  • Dornier Do 335A-0: 101
  • Dornier Do 335A-1: 111
  • Dornier Do 335A-12: 21
  • Total: 371
    • Manufacturer: Dornier Werke GmbH2

Variants

  • Dornier Do 335V: Prototype.1
  • Dornier Do 335A-0: Preproduction.1
  • Dornier Do 335A-1: Production model.1
  • Dornier Do 335A-6: Proposed night fighter with radar.1
  • Dornier Do 335A-10: Proposed night fighter trainer.1
  • Dornier Do 335A-12: Two seat trainer.1 A second cockpit was mounted behind and above the front cockpit.1
  • Dornier Do 335B Zerstörer: Proposed fighter with more powerful cannon armament.1 The internal bay was removed.1

Usage

Test Unit

In January 1945 a test unit received the Do 335.1 There are no records of any Do 335s in combat with Allied forces.1

Factory Overran

In 1945 the United States forces overran the factory at Oberpfaffenhofen halting all production.1

Specifications

  Dornier Do 335 Pfeil1 Dornier Do 335A-11,2 Pfeil1
Type Fighter1 Fighter2
Crew 1 or 21 12
Engine (Type)   2: Daimler-Benz DB603E1
2: Daimler Benz DB 603 E-12
OR   2: Daimler-Benz DB603G1
Cylinders   Inverted V 121, V 122
Cooling   Liquid2
Net HP   DB603E: 1,800 each1
DB 603 E-1: 1,800 each2
DB603G: 1,900 each1
Propeller blades   3 each1
Dimensions    
Span 45' 3"1
13.8 m1
45' 3"2
Length 45' 5.25"1
13.85 m1
45' 5"2
Height 16' 5"1
5 m1
16' 5"2
Wing area    
Weight    
Empty   16,314 lb1
7,400 kg1
Normal load   21,160 lb2, 21,186 lb1
9,610 kg1
Maximum load   25,794 lb1
11,700 kg1
Performance    
Speed @ 21,325'   474 mph2
Speed @ 23,295' /
7,100 m
  455 mph1
732 kph1
Cruising speed   295 mph1
475 kph1
Climb    
Service ceiling   37,400'1,2
11,400 m1
Range   1,280 miles1,2
2,060 km1
Maximum range with
external fuel
  2,330 miles1
3,750 km1
Armament   2: MG2
1: 30 mm2
Nose   1: 30 mm1
2: 15 mm1
Bombs - internal   1,100 lb1
500 kg1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
  2. World War II Airplanes Volume 1, Enzo Angelucci, Paolo Matricardi, 1976