Though unbuilt, scale models and drawings suggest that the P.193 would have had excellent dive characteristics, with the pusher prop reducing drag and enhancing stability.
The Blohm & Voss P.193, often referred to as the P.193.01in specific variants, stands as a fascinating example of Nazi Germany’s experimental aircraft designs during World War II. Developed by renowned aviation engineer, Dr. Richard Vogt, at Blohm & Voss, this ground attack and dive bomber project aimed to succeed the aging Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.
Why the Nazis Wanted a Better Dive Bomber
Conceived in mid-1944 amid escalating Allied air superiority, the P.193 embodied innovative features like a pusher propeller configuration and mid-mounted engine, reflecting the German Luftwaffe’s desperate push for advanced weaponry.
Though never progressing beyond blueprints, the Blohm & Voss P.193 highlighted the era’s “What-If” projects—speculative designs that could have altered aerial warfare.
By 1944, Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe faced severe challenges. The Ju 87 Stuka, once a symbol of Blitzkrieg terror, had become vulnerable to modern fighters and anti-aircraft fire. The Rechsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) sought replacements, prompting German aircraft companies like Blohm & Voss, Dornier, and Focke-Wulf to explore tactical concepts. Blohm & Voss, primarily known for seaplanes like the BV 138 and BV 222, ventured into land-based designs under Vogt’s leadership.
Vogt, a pioneer in asymmetric and unconventional layouts, drew from earlier projects, such as the P.192 to create the P.193. The aircraft emerged as part of concurrent efforts to utilize mid-mounted engines with pusher propellers, a setup that promised better pilot visibility and firepower concentration. Historical records, including declassified documents from 1946, indicate the design was influenced by the need for a versatile ground attack platform capable of operating in contested skies.
However, Reichsmarschall Herman Göring’s reported aversion to pusher propellers and “modern” landing gear—deemed too American for his extravagant tastes—likely contributed to its abandonment as a viable replacement for the Junkers Ju 87. Wartime resource shortages and Allied bombing further ensured the P.193 never left the drawing board.
The P.193 Solved Many of the Stuka’s Problems—on Paper
The Blohm & Voss P.193’s design was markedly unconventional, prioritizing functionality in dive bombing and ground strafing roles. At its core was a mid-mounted Junkers Jumo 213A inline engine, driving a three-bladed pusher propeller via an extended shaft. This rear-facing propeller setup cleared the nose for unobstructed forward-firing weapons and improved the pilot’s downward view during attacks—critical for precision bombing.
The aircraft featured a tricycle undercarriage, with the main landing gear positioned awkwardly under the wings, limiting additional hardpoints but enhancing stability. A single fin and rudder mounted beneath the fuselage protected the propeller during takeoff and landing, addressing a common vulnerability in pusher designs. The wings had a straight leading edge and tapered trailing edge, optimizing aerodynamics for high-speed dives.
An unusual vertical tail and compact fuselage housed a single pilot, emphasizing simplicity and low production costs. The nose design allowed for potential radar installation, suggesting adaptability for night operations or all-weather ground attacks. Overall, the P.193’s layout drew parallels to other Vogt creations, like the asymmetric P.194, but focused on symmetry for balance in combat maneuvers.
The aircraft spanned 37 feet, five inches with a length of 33 feet, ten inches, making it compact yet potent. Powered by the 1,750 horsepower Junkers Jumo 213A—capable of 1,780-horsepower in some estimates—the P.193 was estimated to reach a maximum speed of 354 miles per hour, surpassing the Stuka’s top speed.
Armament on this proposed bird would have been formidable for a Nazi plane built in besieged Germany in 1944. It would have possessed two MK 103 30mm cannons in the wings for anti-tank roles, paired with two MG 151/20 20mm cannons on the nose sides for strafing. Bomb load capacity reached 2,200 pounds, with a central hardpoint for larger ordnance, like SC 500 bombs—and potential for rocket pods, such as RA55 or smaller SC 50/SC 250 munitions.
This versatility made it suitable for supporting ground troops, destroying armored columns, or even repelling Zeppelin attacks in any hypothetical scenario.
The P.193: An Interesting “What If” in World War II History
Though unbuilt, scale models and drawings suggest that the P.193 would have had excellent dive characteristics, with the pusher prop reducing drag and enhancing stability. Challenges like propeller ground clearance and engine shaft reliability, however, remain unresolved.
Had the Blohm & Voss P.193 entered service, it could have bolstered German defenses on the Eastern and Western Fronts, providing a faster, more survivable alternative to the Ju 87. Its speed and firepower might have countered Allied tank advances during operations like Normandy or Bagration. But it would have been unlikely to change the war in any meaningful way, which had been plainly lost by the Nazis by the spring of 1944.
The P.193 exemplified the Nazi’s innovative yet ultimately futile quest for wonder weapons, influencing postwar designs in pusher-prop technology.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
