Technical Monograph: Ta 400
Bring History to Life: Ta 400 Model Kit (1:48 & 1:72)
The Focke-Wulf Ta 400
Long-Range Maritime Combat Aircraft
Aviation Research Dept / Ref: 400-F-1943
01 Strategic Context and Design Genesis
FIG 1.0: Ta 400 and its creator.
The Focke-Wulf Ta 400 was developed as a Fernkampfflugzeug(long-range combat aircraft), a strategic imperative driven by the shifting dynamics of the Battle of the Atlantic. German high command required a platform capable of bridging the vast distances of the Atlantic to provide essential support for the U-boat arm. This aircraft was designed for a dual-operational role: serving as a Fernaufklärer(long-range scout) to locate enemy convoys and as a Zerstörer(heavy fighter/destroyer) to engage maritime targets and long-range interceptors independently.
FIG 1.1: Schulterdecker (High-Wing) General Arrangement
The design philosophy focused on a six-engine Schulterdecker(high-wing monoplane) configuration. This massive scale, featuring a 42-meter wingspan, was necessitated by the requirement for a 9,000 km range, ensuring the aircraft could loiter over target zones far beyond the reach of existing twin-engine types. The high-wing arrangement provided the necessary clearance for massive internal payloads and utilized a Doppel-Seitenleitwerk(twin-tail) to maintain directional stability during long-duration flight at high gross weights.
General Specifications (Abmessungen)
| Gross Weight (Fluggewicht) | 62,500 kg |
| Wing Area (Flügelfläche) | 170 m² |
| Wingspan (Spannweite) | 42 m |
| Length (Länge) | 29.4 m |
| Height (Höhe) | 6.5 m |
These specifications established the Ta 400 as a premier heavy strategic platform, with a structural volume designed to accommodate high-output propulsion and immense fuel reserves.
02 Propulsion Architecture and Fuel Management
FIG 2.0: Profile View / Engine Nacelle Alignment
Powering a 62,500 kg airframe over oceanic distances required a propulsion system that prioritized both raw power and extreme mechanical reliability. For maritime operations, the ability to maintain the aircraft's readiness at forward airfields was paramount, as any significant downtime compromised the "Wolfpack" support cycle.
The Ta 400 was powered by six BMW 801 E radial engines. A critical innovation of this installation was the Schnellwechseltriebwerk(quick-change engine) concept, which allowed ground crews to replace an entire engine unit as a single module, drastically increasing operational availability. These engines drove 3.70 m diameter, 3-blade adjustable propellers with Holzblättern(wooden blades), optimized for high-altitude efficiency.
FIG 2.1: BMW 801 E arrangement
Fuel System (Kraftstoffanlage)
32 individual containers / 27,000 Liters Total
The strategic significance of this architecture is found in the Kraftstoffleitungsschema(fuel piping scheme). This interconnected system ensured that any of the six engines could be fed from the collective reserve. In the event of a combat-induced leak or a localized line failure, the redundant pumping system allowed the crew to isolate damaged tanks while maintaining full engine operation, a vital survivability feature for sorties lasting several thousand kilometers.
This complex energy network was housed within a modular fuselage designed for high-altitude performance and crew endurance.
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View Model Details03 Fuselage Structural Analysis and Crew Stations
The fuselage of the Ta 400 was a modular masterpiece divided into three primary assemblies: the Rumpfvorderteil(front), Rumpfmittelteil(middle), and Rumpfhinterteil(rear). This modularity streamlined production and maintenance.
Rumpfvorderteil (Front Section)
The front section contained a pressurized, two-story cabin housing the majority of the 9-man crew.
- Pilot Stations: Double-steering configuration with full three-axis automatic steering.
- Navigator: Positioned with dedicated workspace for astronomical navigation and radar operations.
- Wireless Operator (Funker): Managed the Bordfunkanlage, including the FuG 10, FuG 16, and Peil units.
- Maintenance Engineer (Bordwart): Stationed in a pressurized monitoring hub with controls for engines and Schnellablass system.
Rumpfmittelteil (Middle Section)
The 9-meter parallel middle section was the structural spine. It featured a cavernous bomb bay and integrated the wing-connect structure. A notable engineering detail was the use of the Junkers-Schubwarzenverbindung to secure the heavy fuel containers to the internal deck. The bay doors were hydraulically operated and designed to fold flush.
Rumpfhinterteil (Rear Section)
The rear section functioned as a crew rest and defensive hub. It transitioned into the Seitenleitwerk(twin-tail) assembly. This twin-fin configuration provided the necessary aerodynamic stability to counteract the massive torque of the six BMW engines at high altitudes.
FIG 3.1: Modular Rumpf-Assembly Diagram
04 Offensive Capabilities: Bombing and Remote Weaponry
As a heavy strike platform, the Ta 400 was engineered for a maximum Abwurflast(disposable load) of 10,000 kg. Its offensive suite was capable of deploying both conventional ordnance and advanced guided missiles.
FIG 4.1: Ta 400 inflight / Standoff Configuration
| Load Configuration | Individual Weight | Total Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x SC 2500 | 2500 kg | 10,000 kg |
| 4 x SC 1800 | 1800 kg | 7,200 kg |
| 9 x SD 1000 | 1000 kg | 9,000 kg |
| 2 x PC 1400 (Fritz X) | 1550 kg | 3,100 kg |
The integration of the Hs 293 and Fritz X (PC 1400) remote-controlled missiles allowed the Ta 400 to strike heavily armored naval targets from a standoff distance. For traditional bombing runs, the Lotfe 7D sight provided precision targeting, integrated into the nose section with a periscopic linkage for the commander.
05 Defensive Armament and Fire Density Evolution
During development, the Ta 400’s defensive suite evolved toward high-velocity 30mm weaponry to address the increasing threat of long-range Allied interceptors.
Primary Positions (FDL-System)
- STAND A (Nose): FDL-A 103 Z (2x 30mm)
- STAND B1 (Upper Fwd): FDL-B 151 Z (2x 20mm)
- STAND B (Upper Rear): HD 151 Z
- STAND C (Lower Rear): FDL-C 151 Z
- HECKSTAND (Tail): HL 131 V Quad Mount
FIG 5.0: Steinheil Visor periscopic Sighting Line
Development of Fire Density
Rheinmetall-Borsig reports emphasize the move to the 30mm MK 103 for the A-Stand. Analysis of the weapon's Zünder (fuse) indicated that a 200 m/s impact velocity was required for detonation. The MK 103 maintainable this velocity up to 1,500 meters, whereas the 20mm MG 151 lost effectiveness at approximately 700 meters.
The Vierlings-Heckstand (Tail Defense)
Featured a 4 x MG 131 quad-mount. To maximize protection, the gunner operated from within the fuselage using a Steinheil visor. This periscopic sighting system offered a field of fire of +/- 50° horizontal and +30/-10° vertical.
FIG 5.1: Vierling HL 131 V Installation
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06 Tactical Deployment and Mission Profile
The Ta 400 was designed for a versatile tactical profile, shifting between the role of a Fernaufklärer(long-range scout) and a Zerstörer(heavy fighter). In the scout role, its range allowed it to shadow Atlantic convoys for hours, providing real-time data to U-boat Wolfpacks.
Passive Protection (Panzerung)
According to the technical breakdown (Blatt 6), the aircraft featured an extensive suite to ensure crew survival:
- STAINLESS STEEL: 882 kg of plating, including 12mm plates for the Panzersitze and FDL shielding.
- ARMORED GLASS: 141 kg of 50mm thick panes protecting observer stations.
The Focke-Wulf Ta 400 stands as a pinnacle of late-war aeronautical engineering. From its Junkers-Schubwarzenverbindung structural details to its modular Schnellwechseltriebwerk propulsion, it represented a sophisticated, strategic solution. Regardless of its production status, its design reflects the apex of strategic aviation systems developed by the Luftwaffe.
