The Secret Behind German Engine Performance: GM-1 and MW-50

During WW2, Germany used two substances to boost the performance of their aircraft engines: GM-1 and MW50. But what were these substances and what did they do? Calum Douglas, engineer and author, will explain just that - and more - in this video.
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- Reading Recommendation
Calum E. Douglas, The Secret Horsepower Race - Western Front Fighter Engine Development, Tempest Books: 2020
Available at:
Mortons Books - www.mortonsbooks.co.uk/product...
Amazon US - www.amazon.com/Secret-Horsepow...
Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Horsep...
- Sources
Calum E. Douglas
- Timecodes
00:00 - Intro
02:19 - Calum Douglas
03:06 - GM-1
20:11 - MW-50
23:45 - Both systems
26:38 - Outro
#militaryaviationhistory #gm1 #mw50

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thanks to a kind Patreon (thanks Damsteri!), it has been pointed out to me that my insert at 08:23 (1 Staffel = 12 planes) **could** be a bit confusing. A Staffel in the organizational sense is a sub unit of a Gruppe, which itself is a sub-unit of a Geschwader, on paper around this time it should have 12 aircraft - hence my insert for your reference. The name drops of Galland, Mölders and Wick add a bit of a question mark, since all three (eventually) commanded a Geschwader during this time, with Galland being the last to achieve the indicated rank of the document (Oberstleutnant) in Nov. 1940. If they would still be commanding a Staffel, the answer would have been obvious since their name would then identify the appropriate Staffel (ex. 3./JG1). The Luftwaffe also used the word 'Staffel' in a **less** literally, meaning a air unit of indeterminate size in a more general sense. As such, the document could be talking about 3 aircraft (Stab of the Jagdgeschwader, loosely called a 'Staffel'), potentially even a Gruppe, or indeed 12 planes (+Stab of JG ?) in the literal sense of a single Staffel within a Gruppe of the Geschwader (which is how I read it).

[@typxxilps]

Regarding the gm-1 production sites: Speyer was and is not a real industrial base, but if you go a bit north you will be in the middle of BASF in Ludwigshafen on the left side of the Rhein river, a huge industrial area nowadays and back then maybe just 25 km away of Speyer. And Frankfurt could mean IG Farben - another chemo industrial company that was capable to deliver the "ingredients"

[@ETALAL]

I'm not seeing the drawings match the explanation. First Mona is obviously code for Nitro methane, A liquid fuel. Using NOx gas appears on one of the performance graphs as a broken line, Next is methanol benzine GM 1 although it could be methanol and water, but that does not give much horse power, it does stop knocking so would help with reliability

[@Nipplator99999999999]

It's interesting how something German engineers pioneered to get an advantage during war, is used by myself to squeeze a few milliseconds out of my car on a dragstrip.

[@CalumDouglas]

@@ETALAL - 1) thats because you didnt even watch the video from start to finish

[@ronjon7942]

Thank you for this; helpful.

[@GregsAirplanesandAutomobiles]

Tommorow's workout on the exercise bike will be 28 mins and 19 seconds. If Bismark would come out with videos everyday I would be thin. On a serious note, thanks for this, I'm looking forward to watching it. I'm just commenting early to help the youtube algorithm.

[@gato2]

Wow one of my favorite KZbins watches another of my favorites. Btw thank you very much Greg for your P-47 videos. I learned so much more about my favorite WW2 aircraft thanks to you!

[@ThermicLight]

You and Bismarck maybe should collaborate. You're both some of my favorite content creators on aviation. 😊

[@jeremykull7325]

@@ThermicLight i completely agree. I learnt so much thanks to greg and bismarck

[@ikeraguirre5865]

I love your deep dives on the P-47!

[@markfryer9880]

@@jeremykull7325 I will second that comment. They both have added immensely to the available knowledge of WWII aircraft and a collaboration between them would be superb.

[@misterbacon4933]

Real added value to have guests in this format!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

happy to hear it!

[@user-mw6uf7dw2q]

I second it

[@saulekaravirs6585]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory The benefit of a guest speaker is that we get to hear the information directly from the expert, the benefit of no guest speaker is that we are used to hearing and understanding your speech patterns. But I do think that having Mr. Douglas on as a guest was good. As always, thank you for providing good content.

[@KamenosTypas]

Completely agree!

[@keitatsutsumi]

This felt like one of the prerecorded university lectures I’ve been watching lol, honestly I like how calm it is

[@NathanDudani]

Same

[@edking755]

Engines have always fascinated me from my pre-teens in New York state when my dad took us to little 1/4 mile oval dirt tracks in the late 1950's. At one track we went to there was a racer called "Doc" Hochter who had a 1937 Ford with a flathead V8 engine in it. He almost always won by slim margins, but if you watched his driving style, he was a patient but calculating racer, who never had to work real hard to win. My dad finally mention to me, watch his tailpipe. Sometimes the exhaust was orange, but when it came time to go to the front, it would turn to a blue flame and he just worked his way to the front....and won. Also when the exhaust changed color, the engine took on a different tone, and just purred. Almost 30 years later my brother actually met him after he had retired from racing. After a long talk he revealed to my brother that he had been a Technical Sargent in the US Army Air Corps. His job was to recover and examine German aircraft for new and unique technology. He was very well versed in supercharging, turbocharging, water/alcohol injection and nitrous injection. For many years, his 1937 Ford flathead engine had a hidden nitrous system, and his "fire extinguisher" was filled with "laughing gas" he got from his family dentist. This video assessment of German engine technology was an eye opener in terms of the terms "GM-1" and "MW-50" which I had never heard, but yet "Nitrous" and "Water Injection" were described in text books and were consider the hot new engine technologies of the the 1970, even though Oldsmobile sold high compression (11:1) performance vehicles in 1962-3 with water/alcohol injection to allow them to run on low octane gasoline.

[@Damathus]

Thanks for that delighting anecdote

[@livingadreamlife1428]

Fascinating.

[@steventoal6594]

History is so cool.!

[@DVBLEX]

cool story

[@cargo4441]

L

[@cannonfodder4376]

90% through Calum's book myself and it is splendidly captivating and informative. Answers to questions I always had, telling the story of something nobody really pays much attention to. And as a newly licensed A&P mechanic, I am glad I can begin to understand a good deal of the information. The new gold standard on this topic. I do hope you can have Calum on as a guest again later for more talks on engineering topics. Its an area that remains poorly understood by the masses and even myself. This was a collaboration I was looking and hoping to see, great work Bis and Calum.

[@matthiasklein9608]

If that is Frankfurt, H could mean Hoechst, This is a town near Frankfurt as well as the name of a chemical plant/company located in this town.

[@TorasLP]

And the one close to Speyer could be Oppau maybe? This place, at least nowadays, borders a large chemical factory (BASF)

[@matthiasklein9608]

@@TorasLP I thought of Oggersheim, but Oppau sounds much better. BASF produced nitrates in Oppau and laughing gas is made from ammonium nitrate.

[@jerry2357]

@@matthiasklein9608 There was an enormous ammonium nitrate explosion in Oppau in 1921.

[@hermes7587]

I had the same idea. Based of the relative position to the rivers Rhine and Main, "H" probably refers to the chemical plants at Hoechst/Frankfurt and "O" to the chemical plant near Ludwigshafen (formerly "IG Farben", today "BASF").

[@matthiasklein9608]

@@jerry2357 I know. As soon as Oppau was mentioned by Toras, i remembered it and knew he was probably right.

[@taivaankumma]

Thanks to both Chris and Calum. I guess I'll just have to buy the book now 😄

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Credit goes to Calum Douglas, I didn't do anything ;)

[@michaelhawkins7389]

@@MilitaryAviationHistory where are you originally from ? and why did you move to the UK ? I am curious

[@halsmith7633]

I'm about 3/4ths through Calum's book, and if you're into the very technical side of aircraft engines, it is a fascinating and thorough read.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Agreed, I pre-ordered it early last year and very happy with the purchase

[@argh1989]

Does it contain anything you couldn't find out through online research? I'm wondering if it's worth picking up. It's a huge hardcover, so probably in the 50 EUR range? BTW if you don't know about it, check out the Soviet VK-107, that's an insane V12 design and reminds me of Lancia's Triflux concept.

[@halsmith7633]

@@argh1989 I don't want to say that a lot of the information couldn't be found online, like horsepower graphs and performance numbers, but the biggest points in the book are covering the how's and why's of different solutions the engine designers and materials engineers came up with and the problems they were trying to solve, of which many are not discussed online.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

@@argh1989 Hal Smith is right; the book's advantage is not just a collection of statistics and charts and graphs and pictures, but the analysis and explanation that goes along with them. Calum earned his royalties the old-fashioned way.

[@EmilBeli]

I just love all of those tech details that are not discussed or writen about frequently. As an aerospace engineer, I find this fascinating. Thank you!

[@rickriede2166]

The "hah hah process". Clearly,German humour is no laughing matter.

[@davidbrennan660]

If it is satisfactory, then no it is not.

[@billysolhurok5542]

Germans have a sense of humor? ;-)

[@billnu]

Nailed it.

[@IzmirWayne]

I think this is the reason it was actually a good codework. Since Brits assume Germans have no humor they wouldn't think of the word being a joke but rather some kind of technical term. This then isn't humor, it is exploitation of ones own stereotype. Btw: How many Germans does it take to change a light-bulb? One. Because they are technically able and not very funny.

[@isilder]

@@IzmirWayne but it was a technical term,it was laughing gas

[@stacyobrien1729]

Absolutely a wonderful video session, it is great to have these types of questions explained by those of is who have done historical resurch on them. This was a very interesting and captivating video for me, thankyou, keep it coming!!!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

I am really happy that Calum agreed to come on the channel and share his research, great to hear that you enjoyed it.

[@ronjon7942]

Thank you, Chris and Calum, for collaborating on this topic. Calum, I’m becoming a fan of your work - I’ve heard you speak once or twice (prolly book tour?) and I really appreciate your preciseness, both in writing and speaking.

[@jchrystsheigh]

Guest speaker was good. This is the first time I've heard of Calum Douglas and I thought he did a great job of "intro-level" explanation of this subject.

[@slick4401]

Extremely interesting. Thanks Calum and Chris.

[@jacobakana5649]

Even your guests are fun to listen to! Excellent job explaining the systems. I love that you agreed to work together for the video!

[@PanzerAce247]

That’s funny: That RAF technical officer at 16:16 is actually wearing a Luftwaffe summer flightsuit. I wonder what he swapped it for.

[@kiwihame]

Chris, great work getting Calum to give that summary. I've got his book and it's fantastic. Well worth buying. Well done both of you. Love your work.

[@philbosworth3789]

Greg has a very good video on the subject that is well worth watching.

[@chriswarfield4469]

Excellent guest! Great explanation of these two systems.

[@flare2000x]

Great video, very informative. Calum really knows his stuff. Going to try and find a way to get a copy of his book out here in Canada!

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Hopefully it's possible!

[@agoodman1776]

Just checked it in Amazon its like $110, guess we'll just have to wait. I've added it to my wishlist anyway

[@rolandfelice6198]

Thanks Chris. What a good video. I knew these things existed but that was about all. I even understood most of what was explained. Amazing! If you can find more people who explain as clearly as Calum has, then bring them on. Thanks again.

[@mycroft1905]

Fabulous episode. Thanks Calum, thanks Chris. The Secret Horsepower Race is a cracking read. Cheers.

[@randylong6550]

Extremely informative. I really enjoy the knowledge of the guest lately. Keep it up Chris!

[@ShaneBaker]

Very interesting. If you can access presenters of Calum's quality, then bring them on! :-) Many thanks - and stay safe.

[@aww2historian]

I love these collaborations! Sharing is caring in the name of knowledge and entrepreneurship!

[@dogeness]

I loved this so much. This stuff is so interesting to me and the format was really nice.

[@Martmns]

A most excellent and hugely informative video on MW-50 and GM-1. Well done!

[@maxmuster5512]

Thanks for the presentation! Good job and easy to follow

[@ronaldlourens9849]

Really very clear and informative. Enjoyed it very much. Would like to see more of those in depth explanations.

[@NielMalan]

As a physical scientist I put a stamp of approval on the explanation of the mechanism by which GM1 and MW50 added power to the engines. Detailed and accurate.

[@greenpedal370]

What's a Physical Scientist?

[@Digiidude]

As compared.to.A.social.scientist... Say "heh Google" then repeat your question aloud for more detail 😏

[@greenpedal370]

@@Digiidude Don't be a complete idiot. You presuppose I have a smart phone? Besides you don't actually know what a physical scientist is either do you?

[@jamesjack6769]

Any relation to Sailor Malan, Niel?

[@NielMalan]

@@jamesjack6769 From the same stock, but no close family relationship.

[@bernardmitchell7328]

This was worth a listen, and a good choice of guest speaker

[@vincksmidt3137]

Nice One! Intriguing plus Enlightening and Educational. Cheers

[@adamskinner5868]

Excellent, an interesting explanation about something I knew they had used in some German fighters but had no idea how it was used or how widely. Loved the graphics and easy to follow explanations, Mr Douglas did very well, thanks to you both.

[@gort8203]

Awesome and perfect timing! I have not yet finished reading this wonderful book, but I am completely enthralled by it. Mr. Douglas, this book is definitely filling a need, and I sincerely hope you are now writing another book. I would love to see you cover development of the large turbo-compound piston engines. I would also love to see you do a book on the development of motor racing engines, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. I would also request that you enlarge the graphs and diagrams so they can be read without a magnifier, and I will gladly pay a higher price for the extra pages.

[@grizwoldphantasia5005]

Yes, the graphs and charts are small, but a magnifying glass works wonders on most. The font in general is also pretty small for my tired old eyes, but the paper is good thick slick stock, making sure the ink doesn't run and making a magnifying glass feasible. The alternative of bigger charts and graphs and font could well have doubled the number of pages, making the book a lot more expensive, not to mention heavier. I think the author and/or publisher made the right trade-off.

[@kracerx]

Amazing content! I’d love to hear more from him in some future videos. Maybe some content on fuel advances, Merlin development or DB 60x development?

[@johnaustin704]

Thanks for this informative video, Chris!

[@luislealsantos]

Excelent video Chris. Thank you.

[@maschinistensoehne2110]

Compact, but very informative. I hope, we'll see Calum again. Excellent video.

[@AndrewH2791]

So neat to see an Author come on the channel and talk shop.

[@NeuKrofta]

That was so interesting, Calum's brain is bursting with so much information he did a great job of explaining it for us lemmings. Now could you do a video on the secret behind Italian engine under-performance?

[@moistmike4150]

In my head I hear Vin Diesel with a German accent yelling "NOOOOOSSSS"

[@steventoal6594]

This was absolutely informative and a great a listen.

[@dmain6735]

Excellent break down. This is great stuff.

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Thanks Chris, I bought this book as a pre-order. I have not dug into it yet in detail! I would love to see more. This is an important book; just excellent!

[@abeherbert6603]

This was very interesting indeed and I like the idea of more guest appearances from authors and historians. It gives us an insight into specific areas of military aviation history and also allows you to promote other contributors to the field which is always nice.

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

That's the idea, glad you enjoyed it :)

[@paultraynorbsc627]

Excellent once again Chris

[@dabootv]

REALLY enjoyed Calum speaking and explaining!

[@haraldhannelius]

HA HA, actually ordered Calum's book in March (from the publisher) after travelling to Linköping in February to hear and see Calum's presentation. This was just two weeks before being pinned at home due to the Corona. That's now almost a year ago, funny how time flies. Thank you both!

[@WarmasterHorus96]

It was a nice video and I would like to see more cooperations like this in the future!

[@marienfeld07]

Excellent Bismarck

[@rafaeltorres2886]

I really appreciate what you do. its an eye opener.

[@Dieselboater582]

Like your technique of inviting specialists / experts to explore intricate aspects! Thanks!

[@davewhittle2480]

I really enjoyed the insights provided in your video. Having guest subject matter experts I think is really helpful, I enjoyed the clear concise explanations and graphics provided. A well thought out, and handled presentation, which I found both enlightening and enjoyable. I’m looking forward to you hopefully inviting similar ‘subject matter expert’ guest speakers in the future. Thank you for your dedication in making these videos, as a new subscriber I’m really enjoying working through your videos, particularly those featuring WW2 Aircraft.

[@howegav]

Having a guest, worked really well.

[@flyingdutchman4794]

Thanks Chris - "guest lecturers" to supplement your own extensive research do add value to your already valuable channel. I am fascinated by engines and very much appreciate the documentaries about engine design, the "horsepower race" betw/ Allied and Axis engineers, and the ongoing "thrust race" betw/ Western and Russian/Chinese engineers. Tschuß!

[@wkelly3053]

Thanks. Just the right level of technical depth. A good presentation should ALWAYS challenge the viewer to do a little bit of their own research. When I read a book, I constantly look up terms and concepts separately along the way. This is how you really learn.

[@BobSmith-dk8nw]

Well done. Thank you both. .

[@richardschroeder900]

Thanks guy's for the great show and appreciation for the research involved. I have enjoyed your shows Chris! Have you ever been to Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in upstate NY? I grew up a couple of miles away from that living (and flying) museum.

[@jim7297]

This guy was great. I learned a lot today. I think I might buy his book. Thanks to you for providing this information.

[@hasmatiks]

Great presentation, thank you!

[@bostedtap8399]

Excellent, very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidmcintyre998]

Brilliant lecture and going after the book right now.

[@MisteriosGloriosos922]

I love these episodes!!! thanks!!!

[@linzmcgeorge]

Fogging the N20 into the intercooler would seriously drop intake air temperature charge into the cylinder, making a bunch more free horsepower.

[@jannesoderholm]

Great video! Calums book is really good and well researched. Would love to se him as guest on more technical/engineering subjects related to German WWII aircrafts, e.g. the advanced super charger in the Bf 109, the inverted engines from Daimler Benz and Junkers, the Kommandogerät used in FW190 etc.

[@johnlansing2902]

Great guest ... thanks.

[@Splattle101]

Good content. Thank you!

[@WalterMitty1966]

Brilliant vid , as usual Chris ! Of course , you realise , you just made me order another book Looks like it will be a great read ! Thanks ahain Phil

[@1966masy]

Super Video. Vielen Dank!

[@kek207]

Finally ^^ I heard from Greg that they could have implemented it even during the battle of britain so the technology was there.

[@lyndondowling2733]

the RAF had BP Octane 100 in 1940 no need for anything else. The Luftwaffe was struggling on Octane 87.

[@kek207]

@@lyndondowling2733 the Video is about stuff from the Germans so there would have been a use. And also mw 50 increases octane by well over 20 so it doesn't matter if you have 87 or 100 octane fuel. It would have been useful for both sides.

[@trauko1388]

@@lyndondowling2733 The LW had 93 octane available in 1940, a well as GM-1 in limited service.

[@gort8203]

@@lyndondowling2733 If true they didn't "need anything else", perhaps British thinking was slower to come around to the concept of short term war emergency engine power than other nations. The U.S had 100 octane but that did not dissuade them from developing water methanol injection. That's because they were thinking of it for war emergency power rather than to compensate for low octane fuel. Water Methanol injection allows more manifold pressure than the base octane can support. The problem is that usually the resulting cylinder pressures and bearing loads are greater than the engine can support for very long.

[@lyndondowling2733]

@@gort8203 The Merlin had Emergency Boost as well. Plus bigger and better Turbo stages for extra Compression in later marks.

[@belchnasty]

I don't think I've ever bought a book so fast!!!

[@ihategooglealot3741]

Fascinating - didn't know much about how the systems and additives were used

[@SledgeFox]

This is a book I have to buy, thank you very much! Most interesting!

[@AdmiralQuality]

Awesome, thanks guys!

[@drbbtube]

Excellent! I'm reading that book right now.

[@fridtjofschussler6434]

Really very interesting Details- thanks !!

I did indeed like this format with a guest speaker good sir.

[@timdaley8486]

Good one, liked the view into the back of the FW. Reminded of the stories about escaping with a crew member stashed in the roomy back.

[@uazfoursixnine]

very interesting; thanks for this video

[@nicolatesla9429]

That book looks very interesting, I think I'll get me a copy!

[@andreasvenator]

Well done, guys. I will use these designations for my choice single malt whiskies in the future...

[@thedumbguncollector5546]

Just ordered that book!

[@peenice]

I love coming back on to KZbin to a new military aviation videos, and this one is ace! Going to have to show Phil style so we can have mw50 now in the axis planes on.SOW haha

[@danwoodliff7287]

Thanks for info

[@ArminHartinger]

The "Ha-Ha Process". This genuinely had me laughing :)

[@davidbrennan660]

Germans of the era didn’t really get the gag about codenames.... it was their way.

[@georgemaxwell3030]

Good collaboration

[@dibblah68]

Very good informative video ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@MilitaryAviationHistory]

Thanks Jens, I will pass it on :)

[@sabercruiser.7053]

thnx guys u are both great .

[@captainover-tighten6729]

Excellent! Thanks

[@michaelperry4308]

Most of the reference I have seen on GM1 referee to "getting out of trouble" boost for many of the two engines destroyers or night fighters trying to avoid fighters or Mosquitos. 10 minutes seems to be the general opted endurance for being 'in or out' of trouble, if you did not outrun then in 10 minutes you had had it anyway. Many boy racers use Nitrous as a performance boost for their cars but if your life depends on it I would think it made a morale boost as much as power, some chance is better than no chance at all. The damage done to engines did not matter if it saved the airframe and crew, the most valuable part of the weapon system.

[@jeffreymorris1752]

Really good. Damsteri nailed this.

[@bobvincent5921]

Thanks. I learn to learn to know.

[@Duececoupe]

This book just made it on to my "must have" list. Just picked up a couple of books about the late war Luftwaffe, want to read up more on Bodenplatte, see what I can find out about Fhr. Siegfried Leese, 14./JG53, his Bf 109G-14, WNr 464137, Black 6, he was reported as MIA during Bodenplatte and Fhr. Wolfgang Rosenberger, also from JG53, but this time from 15./, he flew a Bf 109G-14 as well, WNr 462828, Yellow 12, he was reported as MIA during Bodenplatte too....both at the age 19! Model building is educational to say the least, hopefully I'll have a couple if G-14's in 1/32 done in the near future! As always, love the video! 👍🏻👌🏻👏🏻

[@Shhtteeve]

as someone who is seperatly into tinkering with engines and mecanical systems and ww2 aircraft, Calum is my dream human.

[@misterbacon4933]

Wow, on academic level! Perfect!

[@murraykriner9425]

Glad your guest pointed out the fact that teething problems with upgraded plants was quite often tied to these performance upgrades, and limited to specific uses under certain circumstances. Many of these engines had respectable compression ratios, so enriching the performance meant dancing on egg shells. Manifold pressures would climb very quickly under these situations, causing the engine to heat up, while increasing any frequency of vibration as a by-product. With late aircraft running both systems, I don't doubt that varying levels of enrichment were often employed by the pilot. Have to look into finding the book in the future. Thank you. Most engaging content.

[@MrPnhartley]

Excellent video, liked the reference expert input. Most of the piston aircraft engines flying today are little changed from this era(flat air cooled spark and magneto) - the height of aircraft piston engine development.

[@echo9996]

Thanks very much very interesting loved it.

[@tf2664]

Nice video