When Hitler came to power in 1933 there were already several programs started that dealt with steam power for aircraft. One was the Huettner steam plane that underwent initial construction but was never completed. It was to rely on a series of rotary boilers to achieve a cruisng speed of 210 mph at very high altitude. Why it was never finished is unknown. But Junkers by '39 already had designed and was building a far more efficient, lighter, and more powerful 3,000 hp steam engine for aircraft propulsion. It was tested in 1941 and could operate using cheap non-strategic fuels like tar-oil and coal dust. In addition the engine could run 4000 hrs as opposed to 500 hrs for a fighter engine. Messerschmitt wanted the engine for the Me-321 Gigant glider to make the powered version Me-323 but was refused by the SS which held the project under its priority for a bomber called the "Turbo Thrush" (Eng). But since German jet engine tech came along the SS steam engine was disregarded as the Me-262 used 2x Jumo 004 engines as did the Ar-234 jet bomber. The latter He-162 relied on the BMW 003 and a wide range of newer jets were in the pipeline of greater power. However, the SS never gave up and went on to attempt construction of a 6,000 hp steam engine for the Me-264 bomber- THEIR version. But the Me-264 prototypes were bombed and the program canceled. Components of the engine finished in 1945 were: aux. and main turbine assembly + 1 of 4 boilers completed. Sub-contractors built turbine blades, combustuion and air-draught fan, and condensate pump. Prof. Loesel, in charge of the project, was captured by the Russians.