Source: https://x.com/mmjchiquita/status/2089668610293961018

RtB official art.

Featuring the unique Dornauer Do 335 “Pfeil” Heavy Striker Units! The only Striker Unit that utilizes the push-pull engine configuration.

I. Origins - From the flying boat to the arrow

The origins of the Do 335 can be traced back to Dornauer’s flying boat designs. During the inter-war years, Dornauer experimented with unconventional propulsion arrangements for several flying boats, including aircraft utilizing engines arranged in a tandem configuration (namely, the succesful Do J and the gigantic Do X)

The concept offered a number of theoretical advantages. By placing the engines behind one another rather than beside one another, aerodynamic drag could be reduced. The engines and their associated equipment could also be concentrated closer to the centerline.

These experiments initially appeared to have little relevance to Striker Units. However, this will soon change as magic-engine technology advanced. The increasing availability and power of modern magic-amplification engines meant that a single Striker could now produce enormous amounts of thrust.

Dornauer engineers realized that their old push-pull research could be adapted to create something entirely new, a high-speed heavy Striker capable of carrying the power of two engines without the aerodynamic penalties of a conventional twin-engine arrangement.

II. Development of the “Pfeil”

The development of the new Striker Unit begun as early in 1942 at Dornauer’s Facility in Oberpfaffenhofen, with the first prototype, V-1, completing its maiden flight on October 1943. Initial testing demonstrated exceptional speed and generally favorable handling, although the prototype suffered from several mechanical and landing difficulties that required continued refinement.

Following the successful prototype trials, Dornauer proceeded with a series of additional prototypes and pre-production machines intended to evaluate the Striker’s propulsion system, armament, handling and operational suitability. The results confirmed the Pfeil’s considerable potential: its two Deismus DB 603 magic-amplification engines provided exceptional acceleration and high-altitude performance, while their centerline arrangement eliminated the severe asymmetric thrust normally associated with conventional twin-engine configuration.

By 1944, the design had attracted increasing attention from the Karlsland military authorities, particularly as faster Neuroi formations and high-altitude bomber formations became a growing concern. In May 1944, the Do 335 was consequently granted priority under the Jägernotprogramm (Karlsland’s Emergency Fighter Program), with plans established for expanded production and the development of several specialized variants. The first Do 335 A-0 pre production striker units were delivered in July 1944 to the “Erprobungskommando 335” (Proving Detachment 335) formed by the imperial karlsland air testing command for training and evaluation purposes.

III. Flight Performance

The Do 335’s greatest strength was its speed. Despite its considerable size and weight, the Striker accelerated rapidly and retained its energy remarkably well at high altitude. At an altitude of approximately 6,500 meters (21,300 ft), the average air witch (without any engine tweaks) could reach a maximum speed of approximately 763 km/h (474 mph). Even with a single engine running, the Pfeil can reach speeds up to 560 km/h (348 mph). This placed the Pfeil among the fastest Striker Units of its generation, it was certainly exceptionally fast.

More importantly, the Pfeil did not feel like a conventional heavy Striker. The centerline arrangement also produced surprisingly predictable handling, even with only one engine working. The mass of the two engines was concentrated around the Striker’s longitudinal axis, allowing the Witch to roll effortlessly without the same inertia associated with other heavy striker units.

IV. Production

Following the promising trials conducted by Dornauer, Karlsland began limited production of the Pfeil.

The complicated construction of the Striker prevented immediate mass production. The two-engine arrangement required specialized components, while the rear engine installation demanded considerably more work than conventional Striker Units.

As a result, production was initially divided into several variants:

- Do 335 A-0
Pre-production model of the striker unit, used for evaluation and training. Witches using this variant are usually armed with MG 151 machine gun or MK 103 auto cannon.

- Do 336 A-1
Proper combat production variant of the striker unit. The A-1 incorporated improvements based on experience gained from the A-0. The striker unit is also equipped with internal bomb bay and 2 optional additional hardpoints on the wings.

- Do 335 A-12
A specialized two-witch training and night fighter variant. Unofficially nicknamed “Ameisenbär” (Anteater).

- Do 335 M-14 B-2
The heavily armed variant of the Pfeil. Nicknamed “Zerstörer” (Destroyer), the B-2 sacrificed some of the A-series’ performance in exchange for increased armor and firepower, making it particularly suitable for attacking heavily armored Neuroi bomber formations.

Bonus Texas bikini

My local store was having a liquidation sale, all of these for $5 each ($100mx where I’m from) they even had a copy of black lagoon sealed!! I already own the classic version with the OVAs but I couldn’t say no to a sealed copy!!!

More of the horse wife, Jane Sargent.

GREETINGS PEOPLE, I BRING TO YOU AS EVERY WEEK I DO, THE NEXT ENTRY IN THE COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES, With the topic you chose in the poll.

I gotta say the first time I brought this topic up I was kinda sad with how many votes, but now I am SO ABSOLUTELY HAPPY with how voted it got this time, I've been wanting to do this since forever, I have many things to say about Luminous Witches, but more than that I wanted to craft a more measured approach to how the girls would operate in a more era appropiate setting without the idol fluff, and without SHAFT's quirks....and this gave me yet another chance to do so, I thank you ffor that, I had LOTS of fun doing this.

Just as a sidenote, you can see onme of these moments in one of the stories I've made "FROM MY WATCHTOWER" a very short story from the point of view of an Hispanian soldier who sees the Luminous Witches visit his base in Valencia, modesty aside I think it is one of the best stories I've written in the Epoch of the Witches, personal Top 5, I feel so proud of that one...for some context you can check it out.

WITHOUT ANY FURTHER TO ADD! ENJOY!

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Introduction: Behind the Wonderful World

The League of Nations Air Forces Aviation Magic Band...or as people know them much better...The Luminous Witches was a magnificent concept from its inception, a group of Witches who were not adept for combat for whatever reason but possessed fantastic talent for performative arts, gathered in one group to fly around the world to raise the morale of those fighting during the last years of The Great War.

Nine lovely ladies from around the world led by the veteran Witch Grace Maitland Steward who herself was a very magnificent actress so she knew the medium well, from 1944 to 1945 these ladies flew around the world delivering their message of hope and strength through music, acting, performances, or simply sitting and talking to soldiers, making meals for them and enjoying a good time, not the most novel concept, since Roman Times, Witches stationed with various legions knew singing, dancing and poetry to raise the morale of the legion….but one that certainly helped during the last years of the war, they were even present in the Final Assault on Berlin...not in the main front lines but their music and good energies were heard (Although Milasha, Ginny and Manna got PRETTY CLOSE...enough to see the Wolf Hive be destroyed).

Their stories as a group and for each individual is amazing...but we are going to focus instead purely on the logistics of their magnificent operation, what did they use? How did they act? The nature of their performances and where did they travel and how did they choose and made it to those destinations, so strap in and prepare for this behind the scenes of The Luminous Witches.

 

Hierarchy

While the squadron was under the direct control of the League of Nations High command, it had to be sponsored by investors because much of the resources were headed for the actual war effort which annoyed Grace a lot, fortunately she was able to secure investors on her own, among them the noble lady Felicia Louisa Gresley who put a lot of her money and helped secure other investors, because of this Grace had a LOT OF CONTROL over the team and could do whatever she wanted despite being tied to the League of Nations.

Unlike other Witch squadrons they did not have two commanders as Grace managed everything, their schedules, the way they would be deployed on the stage, although Aira Paivikki Linnamaa did have SOME leadership role, mostly in training the girls in very basic combat, usage of fire arms as the only one with actual military experience and time in combat, she would also teach them some hand to hand combat, at first they tried to use Striker Units but most of the girls were too weak to even use one, only Manna and Sylvie were strong enough but Manna was in Aira’s own words “A fucking disaster” and Sylvie preferred the stage.

 

Equipment and Logistics

They did not have a stable base as they traveled a lot, but they did have their own air plane...a modified Avro Lancaster, with special engines to move three times faster and ample compartments to store equipment and comfortable chairs to be folded as a bed so the girls could sleep comfortably, it also had a kitchen for the girls to cook themselves something, they did not have much staff on board the plane with them, Grace expected the girls to handle most of their own needs so they did not forget humility and hard work, they did have two pilots Charlie and Mortimer, two expert Liberion pilots who flew the plane with skill, they were good enough to outrun Neuroi more than once saving the girls as the plane had NO weapons to fight back, in time they also got a nice doctor lady to travel with them and two nurses, Doctor Esmeralda Sandoval from Gran Colombia and her Greek and Ostoman nurses Effimia and Ozlem respectively.

Their outfits, their sound equipment, instruments and various other props were always on the plane and they themselves had to take care of these equipment, they also had medical equipment for emergencies and fridges to store fresh food which they would always replenish during their various stops.

Whenever they would stop for a show, if they were on a military base the soldiers would always help with setting a stage, but sometimes the girls would go for a more intimate experience if available, like a simple park, plaza, or a couple of pieces of wood and metal where they could stand, or simply sitting in the center to play their instruments, sing and talk to the soldiers, but the girls would ALWAYS help set their own stages too, they never laze around doing nothing (Especially because they had a tremendous strength, they were still Witches after all).

The planning of the presentations would be coordinated with Grace by radio three days before arriving to the place, she would communicate with the administrators of the bases or their host to set on a show, all the girls would gather around Grace whenever these calls would take place to give their opinions, it was always expected they would do this, once a show was set on, they would practice on the ship, there was a space they could use to walk around, dance, and play their instruments….all very professional and coordinated.

Another peculiar detail they had was the use of “Diaries” each girl would record their experiences traveling to the various places from the flight to the arrival, they also each had cameras to take photos, even though some like Milasha, Manna and Jo were notoriously bad at taking photos, Grace insisted they did because despite the terrible outcome, it was part of the experience they represented and it needed to be shared with the world, they would read and talk about these photos and entries on their various presentations, these diaries are preserved to this day in The Witch Palace and the information inside is available for everyone to access remotely and read...including the photos.

 

The Presentations

But once the stage was set and the schedule prepared...it was time for the SHOW…. but how were the Luminous Shows?

For starters they would arrive to military bases mostly, sometimes if available they would go set amphitheaters if available, sometimes they would arrive to war zones and they would perform in the middle of the camps, it mattered not, they would put up a professional show.

Usually the girls would stay there for one or two days, sometimes they would push it to three but these situations were rare.

The shows themselves would vary but would always open up with a speech from the commanding authority in the place, after which one of the girls would come out on a singular presentation, Grace would choose the opening girl depending on the area and the mood of the situations:

To lift spirits: Ginny, Eleonore and Jo.

To raise a happier mood: Manna, Milasha

To enamor the crowd: Inori and Sylvie

To raise patriotism: Aira and Maria

 

Usually with a simple song or dance fitting of the country they were in (Which they would practice before in the plane) after which the show would star with the various performances they set before, usually dividing them in a daily show and a night show.

Participation of the crowds was always encouraged and the girls had various dynamics to invite the soldiers to dance, sing and perform with them.

Their performances were determined to exploit the girl’s skills, despite them being trained in various performing arts, they had their fortes:

Folk Songs and traditional music with big instrument players: Ginny, Manna and Milasha

Ballads and BIG SONGS full of emotions: Jo, Inori and Sylvie

Acting and Popular Music: Eleonore, Maria and Aira

In between shows the girls would usually prepare a wonderful meal sharing the cuisine of their respective countries with the soldiers and would sit in their tables to eat with them, if such thing was not possible they would assist in other duties in the barracks such as inspecting supplies, carrying stuff, fix things...Grace knew just having a pretty young girl doing mundane tasks raised morale IMMENSELY and she was spot on, they would also set “conversation spaces” mostly headed by Aira, Sylvie or Grace herself so the soldiers could vent their frustrations and woes with the girls who would truly listen and encourage them.

If there were Witches on the base, they would also join the activities, as Witches themselves loved the Luminous Girls and admired them...save for two known cases.

Hanna-Justina Marseille: Hanna might have been a difficult partner but with the soldiers? She was perhaps one of the most loving Witches to ever live, even simple clerk boys would get LOTS of love from Hanna...so she did not like to have girls come and take the spotlight from her...she specially disliked Maria and Inori, the former because lots of soldiers from Karlsland and Liberion were fans of Maria, the latter...nobody knows…some say it is because a soldier she liked ditched her to go have lunch with Inori...and since then she considered Inori one of her many “Rivals”.

Grete Gollob: She considered their activities frivolous and preferred their talents could be redistributed to more useful things for the war, she however unlike Hanna was never openly hostile to them, and allowed them to exist...that being said she did respect Aira a lot at least.

Once the show was finished the girls would pack everything up again, have a good bye ceremony with the soldiers if possible and then leave into the sunrise to their next destination...that was the usual schedule of the Luminous Witches.

 

The Travel

When the project was started the idea was to travel around the world to the most important places to spread the message, but Grace flat out refused saying...there was no point in playing in the big cities where things were fine, she wanted to spread her message into the places that REALLY Needed it, so despite the danger they traveled to the places of intense war activity, departing from Britannia...their first world tour in 1944 consisted in the following:

 

Britannia >> Gallia (Where they met the Strike Witches) >> Romagna >> Dacia >> (Where they met Grete, Constantia and Yuno) >> Orussia (Where they met the Brave Witches) >> Iran (Where they actually met Princess Zinat before...well the things she did) >> Egypt >> Ouedraogo >> The Ostoman Empire (Where they were almost captured by the Young Turks but were saved by Princess Agnes) >> India >> Fuso >> Madjapahit >> Australis >> Neue Karlsland >> Azteca >> The USL >> Britannia

 

For the next year they planned another world tour to visit the places they did not visit such as Hispania, Amazonia, Mongolia, Karlsland, although it was cut sure when news came that the Berlin offensive would take place, and they traveled to Karlsland as they planned to go to Malay...to support the final war efforts, but once the war ended they performed a world tour in which they visited EVERY SINGLE COUNTRY IN THE WORLD (Including Shambhala surprisingly) which took them up to 1947 to accomplish, after which they disbanded making them the last of the Great War units to disband.

 

Conclusion

One of the ideas Grace wanted to accomplish with the unit was combating the prejudice and perception towards Witches who lose their powers after 20 or were not super powerful, when through histories Witches were always venerated, beloved at any age, even in their most advanced age they would still be respectable forces of nature. Grace wanted a unit to give the world the love these Witches still had, maybe not through combat, but certainly there was a lot to give.

It might not seem likely initially...but the Luminous Witches really were one of the most important elements of the War...with their performances, they brought hope to places where it had been lost and everyone accepted their fate of dying on the war, but the girls showed them no matter how dark things would get...the light was STILL within their reach because THEY...the Luminous Witches were there.

Source: X