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{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
{|{{Infobox aircraft begin
| name = So 344
| name = So 344
| image = <!-- in the ''File:filename'' format with no image tags. In-flight images are preferred for aircraft. -->
| image = Sombold So 344-2.jpg
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}}{{Infobox aircraft type
| caption = <!-- Image caption; if it isn't descriptive, please skip. -->
| alt = <!-- Alt text for main image -->
| type = [[Combat box|Bomber box]] buster
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| national origin = [[Germany]]
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}}{{Infobox aircraft
|name =
| manufacturer = [[Sombold]]
| primary user = ''Luftwaffe''
|image = <!--in the ''Image:filename'' format with no image tags-->
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| number built = One 1/5 scale model built
|caption = <!--Image caption; if it isn't descriptive, please skip-->
|type = [[Combat box|Bomber box]] buster
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|national origin = [[Germany]]
|manufacturer = [[Sombold]]
|designer = <!--Only appropriate for single designers, not project leaders-->
|first flight = <!--If this hasn't happened, skip this field!-->
|introduced = <!--Date the aircraft entered or will enter military or revenue service-->
|retired = <!--Date the aircraft left service. If vague or more than a few dates, skip this -->
|status = <!--In most cases, redundant; use sparingly-->
|primary user = ''Luftwaffe''<!-- List only one user; for military aircraft, this is a nation or a service arm. Please DON'T add those tiny flags, as they limit horizontal space. -->
|more users = <!-- Limited to THREE (3) 'more users' here (4 total users). Separate users with <br/>. -->
|produced = <!--Years in production (eg. 1970-1999) if still in active use but no longer built -->
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|number built = One 1/5 scale model built
|program cost = <!--Total program cost-->
|unit cost = <!--Incremental or flyaway cost for military or retail price for commercial aircraft-->
|developed from = <!--The aircraft which formed the basis for this aircraft-->
|variants with their own articles = <!--Variants OF this aircraft-->
}}
}}
|}
|}


The '''Sombold 344''' ''Schußjäger'' (Shoot Fighter) was a [[rocket-powered aircraft]] designed in 1943/44 by engineer [[Heinz Sombold]] in [[Naumburg (Saale)|Naumburg/Saale]], [[Germany]].<ref>[http://www.luftarchiv.de/index.htm?/flugzeugbau/firmen.htm Die deutsche Luftfahrtindustrie] (Heinz G. Sombold, Ingenieurbüro R. Bley, Naumburg/Saale)</ref> The project came about when the ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' was seeking for a German ''[[Wunderwaffe]]'' ('wonder weapon') during the time of the [[Allied bombing of Germany|allied bombing raids]] over [[Nazi Germany]] in the last years of [[World War II]].
The '''Sombold 344''' ''Schußjäger'' (Shoot Fighter) was a [[rocket-powered aircraft]] designed in 1943/44 by engineer [[Heinz Sombold]]<ref>{{cite book |last=Lepage |first=Jean-Denis |year=2009 |title=Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935-1945: An Illustrated Guide |publisher=McFarland |page=257 |isbn=9780786439379}}</ref> in [[Naumburg (Saale)|Naumburg/Saale]], [[Germany]]. The project came about when the ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' was seeking an emergency interceptor to combat the [[Allied bombing of Germany|allied bombing raids]] over [[Nazi Germany]] in the last years of [[World War II]].
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==Description==


⚫
==Description==
The So 344 was originally intended as a [[parasite aircraft|parasite]] escort fighter armed with two [[MG 81 machine gun]]s and one [[MK 108 cannon]], but its original design was changed in January 1944.
The So 344 was originally intended as a [[parasite aircraft|parasite]] escort fighter armed with two [[MG 81 machine gun]]s and one [[MK 108 cannon]], but its original design was changed in January 1944.
The second version of the aircraft retained the two MG machine guns, but its front section was a detachable explosive nose with stabilizing fins filled with 400 kg of explosives. The pilot sat in the cockpit near the tail which was in the back section. The plane proper had a wingspan of 5.7 m and a length of 5.3 m. Including the ejectable nose its length would be 7 m.<ref name="Luft">''[http://www.luft46.com/misc/so344.html Sombold So 344 - Luft'46]</ref>
The second version of the aircraft retained the two machine guns, but its front section was a detachable explosive nose with stabilizing fins filled with 400 kg of explosives. The pilot sat in the cockpit near the tail which was in the back section. The plane proper had a wingspan of 5.7 m and a length of 5.3 m. Including the ejectable nose its length would be 7 m.


The plane would have been released from a mother plane upon reaching combat altitude. Then it would ignite its single [[Walter HWK 109-509]] rocket engine and dive towards the enemy bomber fleet at a 45 degree angle. Shortly before contact it would release its explosive nose, equipped with a [[proximity fuze]], into the center of the [[combat box]] formation in a way that it would damage as many bombers as possible. Then it would try to get away with the remaining fuel in its rocket engine and finally land on its fixed skid.
The plane would have been released from a mother plane upon reaching combat altitude. Then it would ignite its single [[Walter HWK 109-509]] rocket engine and dive towards the enemy bomber fleet at a 45 degree angle. Shortly before contact it would release its explosive nose, equipped with a [[proximity fuze]], into the center of the [[combat box]] formation in a way that it would damage as many bombers as possible. Then it would try to get away with the remaining fuel in its rocket engine and finally land on its fixed skid.


Owing to the potential dangers for the pilot inherent in the operation of this aircraft, the Sombold So 344 is sometimes listed as a [[suicide weapon]].<ref>[http://discaircraft.greyfalcon.us/German%20Suicidal%20Aircraft.htm German Suicidal Aircraft]</ref> However, it was not intended as such, even though the chances of survival would have been very limited for the pilot of such a dangerous artifact.<ref>[http://www.scribd.com/doc/100078484/Sombold-344 Sombold So 344. Das "Rammschussjäger" Projekt22. Januar 1944]</ref>
Owing to the extreme risks for the pilot inherent in the operation of this aircraft, the Sombold So 344 is sometimes listed as a [[suicide weapon]]. However, it was not intended as such, even though the chances of survival would have been very limited for the pilot of such a dangerous artifact.
A 1/5 scale model was built for [[aerodynamic test]]s, however the project was abandoned shortly before the end of the European conflict.
The Sombold So 344 is an [[experimental aircraft]] that was never built in series. The project was abandoned shortly before the [[surrender of Nazi Germany in World War II]] and only one 1/5 scale model was built for [[aerodynamic test]]s. This plane is however very popular among people engaged in building [[model aircraft]].<ref>[http://www.drafmodel.pl/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=406 So 344 Model]</ref><ref>[http://www.papirovemodelarstvi.cz/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=2229 So 344 Models]</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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|similar aircraft=
|similar aircraft=
*[[Arado E.381]]
*[[Arado E.381]]
*[[Blohm & Voss P 214]]
*[[Fliegende Panzerfaust]]
*[[Focke-Wulf Volksjäger]]
*[[Focke-Wulf Volksjäger]]
*[[Messerschmitt Me 163]]
*[[Zeppelin Rammer]]
|lists=
|lists=
*[[List of German aircraft projects, 1939–45]]
*[[List of German aircraft projects, 1939–45]]
*[[List of rocket aircraft]]
*[[List of rocket aircraft]]
*[[List of World War II Luftwaffe aircraft prototype projects]]
|see also=
|see also=
*[[Emergency Fighter Program]]
*[[Emergency Fighter Program]]
}}
}}

== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links ==
==External links ==
*[http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?37141-Vergeltungswaffe-V-Weapons Vergeltungswaffe -Weapons]
*[http://www.flugzeugforum.de/sturmjaeger-rammjaeger-66614.html Sturmjäger, Rammjäger discussion (in German)]
*[http://alternathistory.org.ua/fantazii-na-temu-budushchego-voennoi-tekhniki-iz-nauchno-populyarnykh-zhurnalov-30-kh-godov Alternate history]
*[http://alternathistory.org.ua/fantazii-na-temu-budushchego-voennoi-tekhniki-iz-nauchno-populyarnykh-zhurnalov-30-kh-godov Alternate history]
*[http://www.flying-things.ch/Giftzwerge.htm Flying Things]
*[http://www.flying-things.ch/Giftzwerge.htm Flying Things]

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[[Category:German experimental aircraft 1940–1949]]
{{RLM aircraft designations |state=expanded}}
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[[Category:1940s German experimental aircraft]]
[[Category:Rocket-powered aircraft]]
[[Category:Rocket-powered aircraft]]
[[Category:Research and development in Nazi Germany]]
[[Category:Research and development in Nazi Germany]]

Latest revision as of 20:40, 4 September 2022

So 344
Role Bomber box buster
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Sombold
Primary user Luftwaffe
Number built One 1/5 scale model built

The Sombold 344 Schußjäger (Shoot Fighter) was a rocket-powered aircraft designed in 1943/44 by engineer Heinz Sombold[1] in Naumburg/Saale, Germany. The project came about when the Luftwaffe was seeking an emergency interceptor to combat the allied bombing raids over Nazi Germany in the last years of World War II.

Description[edit]

The So 344 was originally intended as a parasite escort fighter armed with two MG 81 machine guns and one MK 108 cannon, but its original design was changed in January 1944. The second version of the aircraft retained the two machine guns, but its front section was a detachable explosive nose with stabilizing fins filled with 400 kg of explosives. The pilot sat in the cockpit near the tail which was in the back section. The plane proper had a wingspan of 5.7 m and a length of 5.3 m. Including the ejectable nose its length would be 7 m.

The plane would have been released from a mother plane upon reaching combat altitude. Then it would ignite its single Walter HWK 109-509 rocket engine and dive towards the enemy bomber fleet at a 45 degree angle. Shortly before contact it would release its explosive nose, equipped with a proximity fuze, into the center of the combat box formation in a way that it would damage as many bombers as possible. Then it would try to get away with the remaining fuel in its rocket engine and finally land on its fixed skid.

Owing to the extreme risks for the pilot inherent in the operation of this aircraft, the Sombold So 344 is sometimes listed as a suicide weapon. However, it was not intended as such, even though the chances of survival would have been very limited for the pilot of such a dangerous artifact.

A 1/5 scale model was built for aerodynamic tests, however the project was abandoned shortly before the end of the European conflict.

See also[edit]

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lepage, Jean-Denis (2009). Aircraft of the Luftwaffe, 1935-1945: An Illustrated Guide. McFarland. p. 257. ISBN 9780786439379.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sombold_So_344&oldid=1108514130"