Iron Cross

Wolff Company obviously has the majority of the airframe orders now (other companies can obtain authorized production), but the engine orders are obviously extremely jealous.

"Dear Head of State, although the subsequent development of the Bf-109 series has encountered some bottlenecks, our company has not done nothing. Can you consider placing an order after seeing our latest design?" Dr. Messerschmitt said in a plain tone. But he interrupted with a reluctant tone.

"Of course, doctor, this is just a plan. Things have not yet been finalized. You can speak freely."

"The first is our improvement and enhancement of the Bf-219 project."

After multiple rounds of front-line test flights and wind tunnel verification, Messerschmitt developed the modified version of the Zero fighter into the Bf-219V7. Compared with the original model, this upgraded and improved version has no overall changes other than the wingspan and length. Large, but the optimized maximum speed has been increased to 629 km/h (carrier-based aircraft are heavier because of more landing equipment, so they are only 615/km/h). Although it is not as good as the current top speed of 670 kilometers per hour of the Bf-109G series, the short leg disease has been cured, and the range without auxiliary fuel tanks has exceeded 1,500 kilometers. This time Günther-Lal's blitzkrieg over the Don River was a practical endorsement of the new model. He fully demonstrated the flexibility and durability of this aircraft. All the top flight experts who have undergone test flights adhere to the same point of view. On the current Eastern Front battlefield, no Soviet aircraft, including the latest La-5, can be its opponent in low-altitude dogfights below 3,500 meters. The Naval Aviation represented by Richthofen also believes that the value of the Bf-219 far exceeds that of the Bf-109T. If the maximum speed can be faster, it will be an almost perfect carrier-based fighter.

BMW has also seen the potential of this aircraft and has been carrying out a series of advanced modifications for this model of engine: including changing the carburetor to direct injection in the cylinder, and considering adding supercharging - although German turbocharging technology has always been It didn't pass the test, but the supercharger is very stable. They are optimistic that the new engine's horsepower will be increased to 1,700 hp without adding more than 100 kilograms of weight. It is expected that the speed will easily exceed 670 kilometers per hour (carrier-based aircraft is about 660 kilometers per hour). ).

Under the current situation, the Air Force's tactical guidance has also begun to change: prepare for layered operations, consider completely handing over mid- and low-altitude combat and escort missions below 4,500 meters to the Bf-219, and intercept and assault missions above 4,500 meters. and BZ tactics are handed over to the Fw-190 for execution. The biggest victim of this new strategy was the Bf-109. The Bf-109, which seemed to have balanced capabilities in all aspects and could do any job, suddenly lost its market, and its short-leg characteristics became more obvious. Messerschmitt Although Dr. Te was introducing the characteristics of Bf-219, his expression never looked good.

Before this meeting, Messerschmitt had specially arranged the Bf-109H plan with outstanding high-altitude performance in response to the threat from British and American heavy bombers. However, with the Fw-190D plan ahead, the Bf-109H had no data or development time. None of them could compete with Dr. Tank's new design, so this high-altitude improved model was completely scrapped before it even got off the drawing board.

However, Dr. Messerschmitt did not completely give up resistance. He said: "When using Japanese technology to produce aircraft this time, we also used 50-arashi metal to conduct research and verification of new airframe materials - this metal is similar to Compared with the aviation duralumin commonly used by the Empire, it has added nickel and magnesium components. Its advantages and disadvantages are very prominent. It has higher strength while maintaining the same weight, but it is easier to catch fire. I tried to use this characteristic to complete the Bf-109. The machine was re-produced and remodeled.”

He quickly came up with the newly modified Bf-109I, which reduced the overall weight by more than 240 kilograms compared to the G series, and then increased the fuel tank to 700L. Through wind tunnel experiments, he made a lot of appearance adjustments, including the size of the rivets. It has been adjusted, but the weight reduction measures taken by the doctor are different from those in Japan. Since he is not constrained by the engine power, he does not simply use drilling to reduce weight, but puts a lot of effort into the refinement and strengthening of the support structure. The overall The structural strength still retains its original level.

Hoffman asked: "Since this new metal is very useful and the formula was transferred to Japan by the Empire and improved by it, why don't we use it ourselves."

Speer said with a wry smile: "It's not that we don't want to use it, the biggest key is that the empire lacks nickel resources, so the aluminum alloys we used to make aircraft did not use nickel, and the remaining nickel resources were concentrated on tank armor and warship armor. "

"That's it." Everyone in the congregation expressed their understanding.

Hoffmann smiled and said: "That shouldn't be a problem now, right? After the nickel mines are mined in Finland, we will have enough nickel resources."

In the last round of resource development plans, Hoffmann disclosed the Kotarati nickel mine belt in Finland to Speer, and reached an agreement with the Finnish government that Germany would fully invest in mining machinery and arrange sufficient Polish labor. The Finns will be responsible for the daily management of the mining, and the family will receive half of the results. Germany can purchase the remainder from Finland at a 20% discount on the market price.

"It's absolutely possible, but the mine won't be able to go into mass production until June next year." Speer thought for a while and said, "The Japanese will send us 100 tons of nickel. This part can produce about 8,000 tons of new metal alloys. Is it right? It can be considered as a body material - at least Heinkel's He-218 must be made of this material."

"Yes." Hoffman agreed on the spot, "New aircraft can use this metal, including Dr. Tank's model."

"What about the Bf-109I series?"

Although it bears the I mark, in addition to remaining similar to the Bf-109 in appearance, it is almost a redesigned aircraft. The main supports, components and even rivets are specially made slim versions (same strength and reduced weight). ), Dr. Messerschmitt was completely unsure.

Hoffman fell into deep thought: The current status of the Bf-109 is very embarrassing, because the tactical application has undergone fundamental changes, and the positioning of this meritorious aircraft developed in the 1930s has been shaken. Its high-altitude capabilities are not as good as the Fw-190 series, and its low-altitude capabilities It is not as good as the Bf-219 series. Although it seems that it can undertake all responsibilities such as interception, escort, and low-altitude dogfighting, it is obviously not the best. The only advantages are mature technology, low production man-hours, and relatively skilled pilots. Of course, after The doctor's magic modification, the new model can effectively take advantage of its advantages, but this is almost equivalent to a completely new design. Almost all molds, production lines, and special equipment must be updated, and the advantages of low production hours and costs will immediately disappear. But think about the problem from another angle. In terms of technical indicators, the Bf-109 is still among the advanced ranks and can be exported on a large scale. It can be adopted by countries including Italy, Hungary, Romania, etc., especially since Italian aircraft are not available now and are in urgent need of improvement. Aircraft conduct air defense.

In Speer's eyes, this is a difficult plan to choose. It is a complete dilemma: if we continue to produce the BF-109 according to the original specifications, it will not be as good as the Fw-190 at high altitude, nor can it be as good as the Bf-219 at low altitude. However, the legs are still the shortest. Of course, cost and working hours are the most efficient. If the I series is produced, although the performance and range have been optimized, all kinds of accessories, including the rivets, except the engine, will have to be re-produced. When the level of working hours drops again, there will be no 1 -2 years is simply impossible. He pondered for a long time, and finally cast his questioning gaze on Hoffman. Mercedes-Benz was very nervous, which was closely related to them - two less Bf-109 aircraft meant less business for three engines.

"Continue to reduce orders for the Bf-109, and freeze subsequent modifications of the model. The overall design will remain the G model. A production task of about 3,000 aircraft can be considered in 1943, and the reduced number will be transferred to the Bf-219." Hoff Mann explained, "We need better aircraft, but our allies are still using inferior products. Their air forces are not large and they cannot have a large number of aviation units with a single purpose like ours. We can use this aircraft to They promote it, and the Italians, Romanians, Hungarians, and Finns will be very happy to accept it, and because the production cost is lower, we can exchange it for other more valuable materials needed for the war.”

Dr. Messerschmitt felt a sense of desolation in his heart. The Bf-109 series, which had made all the difference, had actually been reduced to the point where it was promoted to surrounding countries relying on its low production cost. However, Hoffman obviously did not want to disappoint the doctor too much, and then comforted him: "Although the I series has little hope of becoming the Army's new generation main fighter, I think it still has advantages in the field of carrier-based aircraft. If BWM fails to transform the Bf-219 engine, the I series can immediately take over. At the same time, the Me The finalization of the -262 must be accelerated-this is the future of German fighter jets.”

As soon as Hoffman mentioned jets, the doctor's face became much brighter. He patted his chest and promised: "Our mass-produced jets will be delivered to the Air Force no later than March."

For Messerschmitt, it doesn't matter who it sells to. The production is the same anyway, and after the order is changed from Bf-109 to Bf-219, the company's interests can still be guaranteed, but this makes Mercedes-Benz anxious. The dive bomber He-218 series has made a comeback. If the Bf-109 orders are reduced, their engine production will be in trouble.

Hoffman seemed to have read their thoughts and comforted: "Don't worry, according to the plan, we will deliver 1,000-2,000 aero engines to Japan, and the Japanese may continue to order, so the DB601 series that are not used domestically can also be used." exit."