german ww2 wing in ground effect

[kenneth]

i would like to know if anyone has information about possible german ww2 wing in ground effect aircraft projects/prototypes

 

[Jemiba]

AFAIK, the development of ground effect craft didn't start before the '50s or
'60s. Before that time, the ground effect was just a disturbance on landing,
I think.

 

[LowObservable]

The connection is that some of the first WIG work was done by Alexander Lippisch, responsible for the Me163 tailless configuration and early German and US delta-wing work. But not until the 1960s...

 

[kenneth]

however the germans were surely aware of it - don't know if they thought of utilising it

 

[Michel Van]

in 1920 Dornier knew it
because the Dornier X used ground effect to save Fuel by transatlantic Flight
flow so low as possbly

source: a TV-Doku about Dornier Seaplane on tv-channel ARTE

 

[ILikeTanks]

UGS Manta submarine.

 

[ILikeTanks]

in 1920 Dornier knew it
because the Dornier X used ground effect to save Fuel by transatlantic Flight
flow so low as possbly

source: a TV-Doku about Dornier Seaplane on tv-channel ARTE

If this is the case, then the wings would be likely swapped. The smaller ones on top to house engines while the big one on bottom to make ground effect more prominant. However this is not the case.

 

[Orionblamblam]

in 1920 Dornier knew it
because the Dornier X used ground effect to save Fuel by transatlantic Flight
flow so low as possbly

source: a TV-Doku about Dornier Seaplane on tv-channel ARTE

If this is the case, then the wings would be likely swapped. The smaller ones on top to house engines while the big one on bottom to make ground effect more prominant. However this is not the case.

The DO X wasn't designed for WIGE flight, but it was found that range was improved at exceedingly low altitude. Doubtless made the ride uncomfortable as hell for the passengers.

 

[Michel Van]

The DO X wasn't designed for WIGE flight

in that case the maker of TV-Doku are lying...

 

[TomS]

The DO X wasn't designed for WIGE flight

in that case the maker of TV-Doku are lying...

No lying required. Just a recognition that there is a difference between being designed as a wing-in-ground effect aircraft and a conventional aircraft taking advantage of ground effect. The Dornier X was the later, not the former.

Ground effect was recognized as early as the 1920s, but not well understood until at least the 1960s. So, early aircraft (like the Do X and others) could use the effect on something of a trial-and-error basis. But it wasn't until the 1960s or later that people started designing aircraft specifically to take advantage of the idea.