Do 335 A-0

This page is about the German strike aircraft Do 335 A-0. For other versions, see Do 335 (Family).

Do 335 A-0

Do 335 A-1

Fw 190 F-8

Do 335 A-0

Do 335 A-1

Fw 190 F-8

Germany

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.3	4.7	5.0

Class:

Strike aircraft

Research:17 000

Purchase:105 000

Description

The Do 335 A-0 is a rank III German strike aircraft with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB), 4.7 (RB), and 5.0 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.57 "Battle March". This pre-production run does not feature payload options, unlike the A-1 series. Fortunately, this difference is favourable for the A-0 as it features superior aerodynamics and henceforth better top speed, despite only running on the 50PS weaker DB603A (PS = metric horsepower).

General info

Flight performance

Contrary to popular belief, the Do 335 is not a "super prop". The initial design was a "Schnellbomber" (speedy bomber), but with the start of the emergency fighter program, most bomber contracts were shelved to increase fighter production. At Dornier, the idea arose to reconfigure the current bomber design into a heavy fighter to exploit the failure of Focke Wulf's Ta 154.

Consequently, flight agility is mediocre, lending itself in feeling to Dornier's previous heavy fighters: Do 17 Z-7 and Do 217N, both of which were also originally designed as bombers. The exception to this trait is the fantastic roll rate, accomplished by boosted ailerons as seen on the Ta 152 H-1.

Max speed

at 8 400 m775 km/h

Turn time27 s

Max altitude11 400 m

EngineDaimler-Benz DB-603A

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight10 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 8,400 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	746	727	11400	28.3	29.3	8.2	8.2	500
Upgraded	805	775		25.8	27.0	16.4	11.8

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
X	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
945	285	N/A	386	280	~9	~4

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 380	< 340	< 400	> 440

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
7,070 m	1,440 hp	1,642 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
8,300 m	1,430 hp	1,630 hp
Setting 3
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
9,200 m	1,420 hp	1,619 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural945 km/h

Gear285 km/h

• 8 mm Steel - fuel tank/pilot seat plate

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB898 → 1 251

RB1 771 → 2 468

SB3 480 → 4 851

Total cost of modifications29 800

58 100

Talisman cost1 200

Crew training30 000

Experts105 000

Aces590

Research Aces360 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

70 / 120 / 440 %

148 / 148 / 148 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 140 Radiator Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 140 Airframe Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 300 200 Compressor Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 300 200 Wings repair Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 175 Engine Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 175 Cover Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 700 220 Engine injection Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 700 220	EFS Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 700 220	mg15115_belt_pack Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 140 mg15120_belt_pack Research: 1 500 Cost: 2 900 140 mk103_belt_pack Research: 2 200 Cost: 4 300 200 mg15115_new_gun Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 175 mg15120_new_gun Research: 1 900 Cost: 3 700 175 mk103_new_gun Research: 2 400 Cost: 4 700 220

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 130 mm MK 103 cannon

Ammunition70 rounds

Fire rate450 shots/min

The Do 335 A-0 is armed with:

• 1 x 30 mm MK 103 cannon, nose-mounted (70 rpg)

Suspended armament

List of setups (2)

Setup 12 x 15 mm MG 151 cannon (ammunition: 400 rounds)

Setup 22 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon (ammunition: 400 rounds)

The Do 335 A-0 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 2 x 15 mm MG 151 cannons, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
• 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

Usage in battles

Boom & Zoom: While it does not have the capability to turn, accelerate or climb (sustained) quickly as might an energy fighting aircraft, it can be used to make quick, swooping attacks on enemy bombers, and in a limited capacity, fighters. Advantaged by its swift dive acceleration, Boom & Zoom is a viable tactic; however, it should be noted that prolonged engagements with enemy aircraft should be avoided, as energy fighters will quickly deplete its momentum, and turn-fighting aircraft will easily outmanoeuvre this lumbering aircraft. Instead, diving on a target with a lower energy state (it is permissible to engage some slower aircraft in level flight as the 335 can reach speeds well in excess of 450 km/h within seconds of levelling the aircraft out of a climb) and then simply running away and zoom climbing out of range if the target is not killed on the first run is a significant advantage for DO-335 pilots who wish to return home alive. It may take several runs to kill a target, even with the heavy armament possessed by this aircraft, however momentum conservation is a key advantage of the 335, and multiple swooping attack runs disallow slow, "walking" adjustment of fire by bomber turrets, and can deny a turn-fighter an opportunity to attack, and potentially significantly drain them of energy. Targets in a higher energy state (More altitude and/or speed) should not be engaged unless you can ensure that once you have followed through with the attack run, you will be moving fast enough to avoid retaliation by the target.

Made a problematic aircraft to master by its poor manoeuvrability, both anti-bomber operations and ground strafing are a challenging task in this aircraft; however, it does have bomb capacity for 1,000 kg of ordnance and considering its speed, it is moderately capable in the role of a medium or strategic bomber aircraft. Subsequently, the ability to disrupt soft (20 mm) and hard (30 mm) ground targets far away from the initial fighter onslaught does provide some redemption for its poor anti-aircraft capabilities.

The Do 335's design flaws make it particularly inept at chasing other planes. It is nigh-impossible to try to aim while performing a dive since the nose dances around in all directions and provides no stability to the aiming reticle. Indeed, aiming at the enemy while climbing is prone to the same inaccuracy. Trying to roll the wings to enter a quick dive, e.g. to escape an approaching enemy, is more akin to turning a ship than a heavy fighter. During ground attacks, its inability to aim properly makes more of a "spray and pray" than an accurate firing platform. The most useful approach would be to dive on bombers and attempt to hit with the 30 mm cannon at a distance.

Counter-Tactics

The Do 335 is fast in a dive but flies like a brick. Out-turning it is easy in almost all aircraft it will face. Due to the centre-mounted cannons, it is best to avoid head-on confrontations. Luring the Do-335 into an energy trap is a very effective method of being able to land a hit on the plane, but be cautious as the speed and acceleration of this plane flying level and diving is very good for its size. Most other planes at this BR will have a very hard time to keep up with the Do-335. Lightly firing a few rounds at the plane as it is running will cause them to bleed speed by maneuvering and can make it easier to catch up. It is not always a good idea to pursue this aircraft even if you are slightly faster, as it still will take quite a while to catch up. This means that they may lure you towards enemy AA, or enemy defensive aircraft. In simulator battles, it is also best to sneak up or this plane before fully opening fire as visibility to the rear is poor. Crippling the rear engine first will make the Do-335 a much easier target to hunt as all speed attributes will be cut in half. Approaching from the bottom is also another very effective method as it is a very wide target from the bottom. The roll rate of the Do-335 is also exceptional, do not lead your shots too far ahead, as you may need to compensate much more and run the risk of losing the Do-335 due to its high speed, it is much more effective to hit the rear of the plane first.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable Auto control available	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Combined	Not controllable 3 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• High top speed at very high altitudes and in a dive
• Heavy nose-mounted armament
• Excellent energy retention and roll rate
• Access to HVAP rounds for the MK 103 against ground targets
• Can fly notably well (even climb) with one engine
• Strike aircraft spawn

Cons:

• Poor climb rate, handling, and very poor manoeuvrability
• Expensive repair cost
• No combat flaps
• Poor cockpit visibility, especially to the rear
• Vulnerable to engine damage due to engines mounted in both the front and rear

History

Redeveloped as a multi-role fighter in late 1942 after the original design as a bomber was cancelled, the Do 335 Pfeil carried a pair of the largest piston engines Germany created during WWII, the DB603 series of inverted V12. The inline design was intended to give dual-engine power but without the parasitic drag that the usual wing-mounted arrangement suffered. By May of 1944, the Do 335 was recognized as such a superior aircraft, with good handling and unmatched speed, that Hitler ordered maximum priority to be given to its production. But Allied bombing campaigns forced Dornier to bring up a new plant to handle production, and the delay meant less than 30 of the aircraft were built and flown before the end of the war.

Only one Do 335 survives today: an A-0 variant, currently on display at the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport in Virginia, USA.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Do 335 A-0 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Most unusual aircraft discusses the Do 335 A-0 at 5:02 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] A Rare Bird - Do 335
• [WT Forum Datasheet] Dornier Do 335 A-0

Dornier Aircraft Corporation (Dornier Flugzeugwerke)
Fighters	Do 17 Z-7
	Do 217 J-1 · Do 217 J-2 · Do 217 N-1 · Do 217 N-2
	Do 335 A-0 · Do 335 A-1 · Do 335 B-2
Bombers	Do 17 E-1 · Do 17 Z-2
	Do 217 E-2 · Do 217 E-4 · Do 217 K-1 · Do 217 M-1
Jet Aircraft	Alpha Jet A**
Helicopters	◄UH-1D*
	*Licensed
	**Jointly manufactured with Dassault Aviation