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GMX Media and the FirePower team at Shockwave Productions set out to create the most realistic air combat experience possible. They did this to honor the brave individuals that fought in the air over Europe during World War II. We continue to lose close to a thousand of these veterans a day. One of their hopes is that FirePower will be an interactive reminder of these individual skills, our collective loss, and of lessons that can only be learned through war, but should never be forgotten.
The Arado Ar 234 Blitz was the only high speed, jet-powered bomber to become operational during World War II. Originally designed as a reconnaissance aircraft, it was ultimately put to use late in the war as a reconnaissance bomber. Capable of carrying up to 1,500 kg of bombs externally, its high speed and turbojet power set it apart from other aircraft in its class.
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Flying characteristics:
The AR234 is a fast, heavy bomber that is slow to get going, and hard to slow down. Once it develops a good head of steam, only the most advanced prop fighters can keep up. The AR234 is not immune to compression, and if your indicated airspeed ever reaches close to 600mph, the plane will nose down, and the controls will seize. Avoid stalls by keeping your speed high at all times. If you do inadvertently enter into a spin, you will likely require thousands of feet to recover, so prepare to bail before your altitude gets too low.
Pilot Comments:
"The Blitz was a wonderful aircraft to fly, with excellent handling and well-harmonized controls."
Engaging fighters:
Your best defense is your speed. If fighters from above jump you, use your periscope and aft firing cannons to make their ability to line you up as a target difficult. Your turbojets are your life, and like any jet engine, they are sensitive to any type of enemy fire.
Ground attack:
You need to develop the ability to accurately bomb while keeping your speed at its maximum. Your speed is your only defense, and just the slightest amount of engine damage taken from flack or even smaller caliber enemy fire, can damage or completely seize an engine. If this happens, you should be able to make it home on one engine, but if any enemies are nearby, you are a highly prized, sitting duck. Make one pass, and head for home. Also, beware of your altitude when dropping bombs due to the sensitivity of your jet engines to damage.
Specifications:
Type: Bomber
Power Plants: Engines: 2x Junkers Jumo 004B turbojets rated at 1984 lbs. static thrust for takeoff
Armament: 2x fixed MG151 cannon firing aft
Weights: Empty equipped 18,609 lb; Loaded 21,715 lb
Dimensions: Span, 46 ft 3 ½ in; length 41 ft 5 ½ in; height 14 ft 1 in
Firepower Certified Specifications:
Arado Ar 234 B Blitz Bomber
ENGINE STARTING
After starting both engines -- whether using auto start or manual start -- allow at least 30 seconds for thrust to stabilize. Then open the throttles to 50% with the brakes set. Allow thrust to even out for ten seconds. Then advance the throttles to 100% and release the brakes. Failure to do this may result in uneven thrust of the engines during the takeoff roll.
GROUND HANDLING
The Ar 324 B has a very narrow track undercarriage, and great care must be taken when maneuvering on the ground.
TAKEOFF (18609 lbs.)
o Flaps: 56% (25 degrees)
o Elevator trim: 0%
o Rudder trim: 0%
o Rotation speed: 125 mph IAS (185 kph/97 kts)
o Liftoff speed: 130 mph IAS (210 kph/109 kts)
o Takeoff roll: 40 seconds
TAKEOFF (21715 lbs.)
Note: A long runway, such as that at Tegel, Berlin is needed for takeoff at maximum gross weight. It is possible to exceed the maximum weight with the available payloads; adjust the fuel and ammunition sliders as needed to maintain a maximum weight of 21715 pounds.
o Flaps: 56% (25 degrees)
o Elevator trim: +30%
o Rudder trim: 0%
o Rotation speed: 145 mph IAS (185 kph/97 kts)
o Liftoff speed: 150 mph IAS (210 kph/109 kts)
o Takeoff roll: 50 seconds
Rotate smoothly and allow the aircraft to fly itself off the runway. After takeoff it will be necessary to trim the nose down somewhat as the aircraft builds airspeed and lift. Retract the flaps after the plane reaches an airspeed of 180 mph and an altitude of 500 feet.
Throttle limitations: Use of full throttle is limited to 30 seconds except for takeoff. Longer than this can result in overspeed and aircraft damage. Normal maximum throttle is 90 percent.
CLIMBING
o Initial Climb: 2500 fpm @ 180 mph
o Normal Climb: 1800 fpm @ 248 mph (400 kph) IAS @ 90% throttle, declining to 1000 fpm at 20,000 feet.
LANDING (14,983 lbs.)
o Gear extension limit: 248 mph/400 kph
o Flap extension limit: 200 mph/320 kph
o Full flaps at 174 mph/280
o Approach speed: 130 mph/210 kph IAS
o Over airfield boundary: 140 mph/225 kph
o Touchdown at 125 mph/201 kph IAS
Firepower Certified Specifications:
o Normal takeoff/test weight: 18609 pounds
o Top speed @ Alt: 465 mph TAS @ 19,685 feet
o Max cruise @ 13,120 ft: 350 mph IAS/400 mph TAS @ 75% throttle
o Normal cruise @ 13,120 ft: 282 mph IAS/335 mph TAS @ 65% throttle
o Normal climb: 12.33 minutes to 19,685 ft @ 90% throttle/248 mph IAS
o Initial climb: 2500 fpm @ full throttle/180 mph IAS
o 1 g stall speed, clean: 130 mph IAS (14983 lbs.)
o 1 g stall speed, landing: 112 mph IAS (14983 lbs.)
o Slow flight: good stability, good rudder control up to the point of stall.
o Stall: mild drop; recovery routine, no tendency to spin.
o Takeoff: Takeoff run 40 seconds, liftoff speed 130 mph IAS
o Ramp weight: 11,464 pounds Max takeoff wt: 21,715 pounds
o Roll rate: Approx. 36 deg/sec at 280 mph IAS.
o Turning rate, in Gs: Approx. 3 Gs at 280 mph in a level turn.
o High speed dives: Controls will freeze/reverse at approx. 600 mph IAS
o Vmax: 510 mph IAS (950 kph/510 kts), 0.75 Mach
o To gear down: moderate pitch down
o To flaps down: moderate pitch up
o Engines: 2x Junkers Jumo 004B turbojet
o Takeoff power: 1984 lbs. static thrust
o Service ceiling: 32,810 feet
o Fuel capacity: 990 gallons (3750 L)
o Fuel consumption at max cruise: 150 gph/engine
o Armament: 2x fixed MG151 cannon firing aft
o Range: 1012 miles with 1-500 kg bomb