Heinkel HE-177 Long Range Bomber, WWII Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 6, August 27, 1942 (Lone Sentry)

One of the latest additions to the German Air Force is the Heinkel HE-177, a few of which have been seen in recent operations.

From available information, the HE-177 appears to be an anti-blockade, sub-stratospheric bomber that could also be used for dive bombing. Some types have pressure cabins appropriate for extremely high altitude reconnaissance.

Photographs seem to show that it is an all-metal, 4- to 6-place, midwing, single rudder, land monoplane with dorsal and tail turrets. The unusually thick wing, equipped with Fowler-type flaps, appear almost to enclose the engines. The double-wheel undercarriage has one set of wheels folding inward and the other outward.

The power plant is reported to consist of two 24-cylinder Daimler-Benz, (DB 606) "double engines" each with two 12-cylinder DB 601 units, giving the appearance, when viewed end on, of an inverted twin Vee. For economy in long-range cruising, one unit of each double engine may be disengaged from the common propeller shaft by means of a clutch arrangement.

High speed is estimated at 310 m.p.h. and the service ceiling at 26,000 feet. Cruising speed is about 210 to 220 m.p.h.

Cruising at 20,000 feet with a load of 13,200 pounds, the range is believed to be 1,000 miles, while with a 2,200-pound load it would be about 3,200 miles. As a reconnaissance plane without bombs, but with their equivalent in fuel, a range of 4,600 to 5,000 miles at approximately 30,000 or more feet is possible.

The large bomb compartment is said to be capable of taking two 5,500-pound bombs or their equivalent in smaller bombs or fuel, and is considered large enough to accommodate a light 3-ton tank.

The armament apparently consists of 1 fixed cannon and probably 5 machine guns.