You know that some WWII German aricraft have in-line engines… but some of them, like Ju-88, or He-219 have an annular cowling, and they seem like radial engines… do you know why?..
Some of these aircraft were designed to take radial engines but shortages forced then to use inline engines instead. Rather than do a total redesign they simply stuffed them into the existing framework and modified the radiator to fit.
Is part of it due to the placement of the radiator? On my He-219, thas kinda what it lokes like. Anyone else have any ideas?
The Squadron book says “the Ju88 was designed fom the outset with the provision that either type of powerplant could be installed.”
I only have this info at hand because my current bench project happens to be a JU88! I always thought these had radials, until, of course, my book arrived.
Yeh, there’s quite a bit of stuff like that, even the lancaster had a radial engine version, about 200 were made, the wellington, and halifax also had either engine at various times. the longer FW-190D is an inline. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.