German contributions to aviation

[John Mcrain]

I read lots of comments,text like this:"American, Russian or European,aircrafts all of them are German systems, ideas, experiences and technologies After World War II, Russia and America offered German scientists, engineers and researchers asylum and work under their supervision or punished with symbols of the Hitler regime, so most of them emigrated Scholars to those countries, the pride of German industry that astonished the world in the last century, Great Germany, had it not been for the sanctions on military industrialization, no one would have estimated it"

Also that Germans set basics of aerodynamics,Ludwing Prandtl, Max Munk , Dr. Woldemar Voigt , Dr. Adolph Busemann ,Dr. Richard Vogt, etc..

What do you think about contribution of Germany to aviation and how strong is Germany today compare to other countrys?

 

[phinds]

What do you think about contribution of Germany to aviation ...

Germany made major contributions to aviation but the statement

American, Russian or European,aircrafts all of them are German systems, ideas, experiences and technologies

is utterly absurd.

Germany learned rocketry from Robert Goddard, an American. A Brit (Frank Whittle) invented the modern jet engine. Others made major contributions as well.

 

[etudiant]

The jet engine was independently invented by Pabst von Ohain in Germany, but no question Goddard was 'the' rocket pioneer.

 

[phinds]

The jet engine was independently invented by Pabst von Ohain in Germany, but no question Goddard was 'the' rocket pioneer.

Yeah, I vaguely remembered that a German had co-invented the jet and should have mentioned it but my point remains valid.

 

[John Mcrain]

Yeah, I vaguely remembered that a German had co-invented the jet and should have mentioned it but my point remains valid.

How is Germany today compare to others aviation-countrys,if you must make TOP 5?
Do they still has military restrictions because of world war 2?

 

[Rive]

American, Russian or European, aircrafts all of them are German systems...

Don't take this kind of thing seriously. While it's true that during the WWII some things in Germany was a bit ahead their time and this made scientists from Germany a rare and sought after commodity once the war ended, the actual contribution is seriously overestimated. It's a kind of idolization without much real basis.

Especially when the topic is limited to aviation. For example their submarines made far more impact on the subsequent designs of the winners. At least as far as I know.

 

[boneh3ad]

Why does it matter who are the top contributors to aviation now or historically? How do you even measure that? Total research output? Total "innovation?" Total expenditures? Any of those things but on a per capita basis?

 

[phinds]

I agree w/ Dr. Strangelove. What's the point of the question?

 

[Klystron]

Will an anecdote suffice? In my youth I helped conduct electronic warfare exercises as an aggressor against NATO air forces circa 1970's. After several years conducting missions, I developed personal (non-scientific) rankings of participating air forces.

1. USAF -- specifically Colorado national guard, contained the best fighter pilots, most Vietnam War veterans. Very difficult to defend against.
2. RAF -- boldest bomber pilots in NATO, flew so low that dust obscured radar and visual returns. Formidable tactics.
3. Luftwaffe -- highly coordinated operations and always tricky tactics.

In my professional opinion the Luftwaffe and RAF of those times were well matched. I give the RAF a slight nudge for their spectacular low level bombing techniques but the Luftwaffe pilots were highly skilled in electronic warfare and counter-measures. While these exercises predated German reunification, the Luftwaffe is/was a major contributor to NATO air forces.

 

[berkeman]

I agree w/ Dr. Strangelove

LOL

 

[phinds]

@John Mcrain you have been asked a question. Twice. On this forum, it's considered good form to answer a question when you are asked.

I agree w/ Dr. Strangelove. What's the point of the question?

 

[Dr.D]

One of the major German contributions from the 1930s was S.F. Hoerner's books, Fluid Dynamic Drag, and Fluid Dynamic Lift. The contain vast amounts of empirical data.