They were ahead of their time: unusual cars of the Second World War (7 photos)

The battle of technologies resulted in a sharp rivalry between talented aircraft designers.





It is clear that engineers were required to make machines even more fast, agile and deadly. But the development went in such a wild haste, that sometimes real monsters were obtained with the light hand of scientists.

Kokusai Ki-105



Japanese cargo planet, appeared in 1942. First on he wanted to transport equipment and weapons. But the fuel crisis began and the car was reoriented to supply fuel from Sumatra - this idea completely failed, the glider was defenseless against enemy fighters. In the end, he was of no use and Kokusai identified in the parking lot in the hangar, he never became a mass machine.

Interstate TDR





The Americans have developed the world's first drone. His task: to bring the torpedo to the intended target, then collapse, preferably taking with him something from enemy equipment.

Douglas XB-42 Mixmaster



American engineers sought to create the fastest car. To do this, the screws were installed behind the tail. And the idea worked. the plane accelerated to 660 km/ h. But no role in the battles of the Second the world did not play - at that time they simply did not have time to put it into serial production.

Henschel Hs-132



A feature of the German jet bomber was engine - it was installed above the cab. The pilot was flying in a prone position. But plans to capture the sky with ultra-high-speed aircraft remained German dream: Soviet soldiers captured aircraft factories and the car never went into series.

Blohm & Voss Bv40



The Germans also looked closely at the drones and took in this an example from the Americans. They even managed to create a prototype with durable armor and good maneuverability - they planned to use it in the fight against bombers. Then, for unknown reasons, the project was cancelled.

Hafner Rotabuggy



And the undisputed leader in this unusual list of technological curiosities: a British army SUV with an aircraft propeller on roof. In theory, this was how the problem with the transfer of equipment to a distant distance. The cars were supposed to be thrown off the bomber in a certain point, and then the driver-pilots independently led them to goals. Naturally, the very first tests were just a disaster and the project turned around quickly.