Dornier P 256

This page uses material originally created for planespotting

The Dornier P 256 was a turbojet nightfighter proposed by Dornier for the Luftwaffe toward the end of the Second World War.^[1] It was never built.

Developed from Dornier's unusual centerline thrust fighter project, the Do 335,^[1] the P 256 was to meet a Luftwaffe requirement issued 27 February 1945.^[1] It was designed to carry a crew of three (pilot, radar operator, and navigator), with pilot and radar operator together under the canopy, while the navigator was in the fuselage,^[1] an idea copied from Arado.^[1] Departing from centerline thrust, it was to have two Heinkel HeS 011 engines^[1] of 1,300 kPs (2,865 lb-fc) each, podded under the wings in the fashion of the Me 262.^[1] The low-mounted wing was unswept, and had an aspect ratio of 5.8:1.^[1]

Designed armament was four 30 mm (1.2 in) MK 108 cannon in the nose;^[1] a field conversion kit was to retrofit two MK 108s in a Schräge Musik configuration.^[1] A fighter-bomber variant would have carried two 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs.

Its loaded weight would have included 3,750 kg (8,300 lb) of fuel,^[1] giving a wing loading of 276 kg/m² (56.5 lb/ft²).^[1] Maximum speed was achieved at 8,000 m (26,000 ft),^[1] maximum range at 6,000 m (20,000 ft).^[1] Endurance with 4,000 kg (8,800 lb) fuel was calculated as 2.6 hours.^[1]

Its electronic suite would have included FuG 24SE with ZVG 24, FuG 29, FuG 25a or c, and FuG 244 Bremen with Gnome weapon triggers.^[1]

Criticized for having poor cross-sectional area and unduly large tail surfaces, it was not adopted.^[1]

Specifications (projected, per Dornier tender)

Data from Schick, Walter, and Meyer, Ingolf. Luftwaffe Secret Projects: Fighters, 1939-45, p.123. Leicester: Midland Publishing, 1997 (Eng. tr. ed.).</ref>

General characteristics

• Crew: three (pilot, radar operator, and navigator)
• Length: 13.6 m (44 ft 7 in)
• Wingspan: 15.45 m (50 ft 8½ in)
• Height: 5.5 m (18 ft)
• Wing area: 41 m² (441 ft²)
• Empty weight: (with full equipment) 6,860 kg (15,123 lb)
• Loaded weight: 11,300 kg (24,911 lb)
• Powerplant: × 2 x Heinkel HeS 011 turbojet

Performance

• Maximum speed: 882 km/h (548 mph)
• Range: 1,550 km at 630 km/h (963 mi at 391 mph)
• Service ceiling: 29,600 ft (9,020 m)
• Rate of climb: 672 m/min (initial) (2205 ft/s)
• Wing loading: 276 kg/m² (56.5 lb/ft²)

Armament

• four 30 mm (1.2 in) MK 108 cannon (optional two 30 mm (1.2 in) MK 108 cannon in Schräge Musik oblique mount)

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q} Schick and Meyer, p. 123

Source

• Schick, Walter, and Meyer, Ingolf. Luftwaffe Secret Projects: Fighters, 1939-45, p.123. Leicester: Midland Publishing, 1997 (Eng. tr. ed.).

Related developments

• Dornier Do 635
• Dornier Do 335