During World War II, German aeronautical engineers designed an incredible amount of highly sophisticated aircraft for the Luftwaffe. Some of these actually flew, but most never got further than design proposals, blueprints or wind tunnel models and mock-ups at best. After the war ended, these designs were elaborately studied by the victorious allies and many of today’s aircraft borrow features from these designs – a good example being swept wings.
This is the first of a series of secret weapons of the Luftwaffe. It portrays the Henschell Hs P.122 high altitude bomber as it could have been, had it ever been built.
The Hs P.122 is perhaps of the most secret aircraft projects of this era, and it is speculated that it was the first bomber specifically designed to deliver precision guided weapons.
This artwork was created for Monogram Aviation Publications for their new book “Jet Planes of the Third Reich – The Secret Projects – Vol.2”. Two more artworks made for this book will follow over the next few weeks.
Here is a heavily edited version of the above image – as if it were a photograph taken from the cockpit of a second machine:
Lastly, here are examples of the textures used for this model. The exact techniques used to map this aircraft are described in my aircraft texturing mini guide on Military-Meshes.com.
By: Skyraider3D - 12th February 2005 at 23:48
I have uploaded the second image of this series now:
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38494
By: Skyraider3D - 15th January 2005 at 11:34
I know about the scrapbook, but I was personally more interested in the technology behind the B-36 than its colours and unit history etc, so I didn’t buy it. Another reason I didn’t buy it, is that only in December I bought a third bookshelf and that one is already getting cramped. I plan to move home in a couple of months and I am really getting worried!!! It IS possible to have too much reference material… 😮
The B-36 silhouette is an actual 3D model, which unfortunately I never have managed to finish. The engine intakes proved a bit tricky at which point I picked up another project and never managed to finish the poor old B-36. Maybe one day I’ll restart it from scratch, at a much higher detail level too. Openable turret doors and all that. Should be cool in 3D… 😀
By: turbo_NZ - 15th January 2005 at 06:16
Wow, the reviews are really great.
Why don’t I have this book ?? No excuse, will order one in.
Cheers for that, Skyraider3d
Did you see the B-36 Scrapbook?
That’s looks worthwhile too.
Have you ever done any art on the Big Beast ?
Cheers,
Chris
(TNZ)
By: Skyraider3D - 14th January 2005 at 22:24
If you like the B-36 (I love it!), then you should definitely get “Magnesium Overcast” by Dennis R. Jenkins. It’s a great book about this airplane, dealing with all the prototypes and proposals too. Lots of detail for modellers as well. And best of all… for what it is, it’s really dirt-cheap!!!
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1580070426/qid=1105741548/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/103-4817565-7527001?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
or for the UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580070426/qid%3D1105741641/026-2972801-3140401
(check out the review I’ve written on Amazon :))
And yes, I noticed too that the Hs P.122 looks darn slick in side view!
By: turbo_NZ - 14th January 2005 at 18:02
Nice to see you put one of my favourite aircraft in there…the B-36
The Henschell looks surprisingly modern even next to the F-16.
TNZ
By: Skyraider3D - 14th January 2005 at 11:57
That distance is not much worse than most propeller aircraft, but I suppose you’re right. Given the power of these engines it may have been more than a handful.
O yea… I’ve expanded the size comparison a bit… 😀
By: turbo_NZ - 14th January 2005 at 03:00
I reckon it would be very “interesting” to fly it with one engine out given the loooonnng space apart of the thrustlines 😀
TNZ
By: Skyraider3D - 14th January 2005 at 02:08
Probably not as it was much faster 🙂 But I have no doubt it would turn on the fly (for a jet) given its long-span wings and very short fuselage. Proportions that even a Sopwith Camel would be jealous of! 🙂
By: turbo_NZ - 14th January 2005 at 01:45
sheesh !!!
It’s ji-normous !!!
Betcha it would’nt turn as quick as a P-51….
TNZ
By: Skyraider3D - 14th January 2005 at 01:24
A size comparison with the Mustang 🙂
By: Skyraider3D - 13th January 2005 at 09:14
Thanks TNZ.
I think this design would work alright. Aerodynamically it’s very similar to the proven Messerschmitt Me 163. The greater sweepback (compared to the Me 163) will ensure stability despite the relatively longer rear section.
My biggest issue with the design is: it doesn’t have a bomb bay! A bit odd for a WW2 bomber… Perhaps it carried radio or TV guided missiles under its wings, but there’s not enough info on this machine to confirm that. Hence it’s shown in clean configuration.
By: turbo_NZ - 13th January 2005 at 02:54
Very intriguing aircraft.
How well would it fly without a tailplane, given that the wings appear a little too far forward to be a tailless design?
Don’t get me wrong, the artwork is awesome, Skyraider3D, just a question about Henschell’s design.
Cheers
TNZ
By: Skyraider3D - 13th January 2005 at 00:20
Thanks Jonathan, I’m glad you like it.
Monogram’s book is out already since late this summer.
http://www.ianallansuperstore.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?session_id=73f910ba0&product_id=28374&mode=productinfo
Thanks for taking the time to respond!
🙂
By: JonathanF - 12th January 2005 at 10:10
Superb work, I look forward to the publication.
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January 12, 2005 at 12:35 am