Komet

The Dornier Do 335 Komet was a German twin‑engine fighter‑bomber developed during the later years of World War II. Conceived in 1942 as a response to the Luftwaffe’s need for a high‑speed, long‑range interceptor, the aircraft first flew on 28 December 1943 and entered limited service in 1945. Its most distinctive feature was the push‑pull layout: a conventional propeller at the nose and a second propeller at the rear of the fuselage, driven by a second engine. This configuration eliminated the drag of wing‑mounted engines while preserving center‑line thrust, allowing the Do 335 to exceed 750 km/h (467 mph), faster than most contemporary Allied fighters. The airframe was built of a mixed metal‑wood structure, with a streamlined nose, a long glass canopy, and a retractable tricycle undercarriage. Armament typically included two 30 mm MK 108 cannons and two 20 mm MG 151/20 guns, supplemented by external bombs or rockets for ground‑attack missions. Although only about 380 units were produced before the war ended, the Komet demonstrated the practical advantages of the push‑pull concept and influenced post‑war designs such as the Saab 32 Lansen and the American Bell P‑39. Its legacy endures as a reminder of innovative engineering pursued under wartime pressure.