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Messerschmitt Me-262 'Schwalbe' (6 pics)
Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
in flight at ILA 2006 Berlin Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
taxiing at ILA 2006 Berlin Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
taking off at ILA 2006 Berlin Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
in flight at ILA 2006 Berlin Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
landing at ILA 2006 Berlin Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
taxiing at ILA 2006 Berlin
Messchersmitt flying replica D-IMTT "501244"
in flight at ILA 2006 Berlin
The
Messerschmitt Me 262 was not exactly the first turbojet-powered fighter in the
world (that honor was for the Heinkel He-280) but it was the first turbojet
fighter that entered active service as the first in the world.
The
first flight was made without turbojets, but with Jumo 210G piston engines, due
to problems and late delivery of the new power source jet to come. All but one
(Me-262 V3) of the first eight airframes were lost during test-flights
The
first production model was the Me-262A-1a single seat interceptor, and was know
under the name 'Schwalbe'. This first model was powered by two 900 kg. thrust
Jumo 004B-1 engines.
Four 30 mm MK 108 cannons, and later added 12x 55 mm R4M rocket missals under
each wing was standard armament for this type.
The
first 28 production model Me-262 were delivered to the Luftwaffe in June
1944. The first interception missions were flown by the EKdo 262 trials unit. By
the end of October of that same year 315 Me-262's were accepted by the
Luftwaffe, and by the end of April 1945 1065 Me-262's were in active service in
at least 4 configurations. (probably many more)
The
first 'arrival' of a Me-262 in air-combat with the allied forces must of been a
shock to those pilots, it had almost 100 Kph more speed, something that was very
important in those days. If it had arrived earlier and in greater numbers the
Me-262 could of made a difference in defeating the Nazi's. It would have almost
certainly delayed the allied victory for moths or even years..
Underneath you can find the characteristics of the Me-262A-1a, B-2, and C-1a
|
Me-262A-1a |
|
Developing Nation: |
Germany |
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Manufacturer/designer: |
Messerschmitt |
|
Task: |
Interceptor / bomber |
|
First Flight: |
-April 18th
1941 (with Jumo 210G piston engines)
-July 18th
1942 (first flight with 2x Junkers Jumo 004A turbojets) |
|
First Delivery: |
June 1944 |
|
First Operational: |
June 1944 |
|
Crew: |
1 |
|
Wing Span: |
12,51 m |
|
Wing Area: |
21,70 m² |
|
Length: |
10,60 m |
|
Height: |
3,83 m |
|
Engine (s): |
two Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojets providing 900 kg.
thrust |
|
Weight: |
4420 kg |
|
Max. Take off weight: |
6396 kg |
|
Max. Speed: |
870 Kph |
|
Range: |
1050 km on internal fuel |
|
Weapons: |
- 4x 30 mm MK
108 cannons
- 12x 55 mm
R4M rocket missals under each wing |
|
Me-262B-2
(night fighter) |
|
First flight: |
March 1945 (Me-262B-2a) |
|
Crew: |
2 |
|
Wing Span: |
12,51 m |
|
Wing Area: |
21,70 m² |
|
Length: |
11,75 m |
|
Height: |
3,83 m |
|
Engine (s): |
two Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojets providing 900 kg.
thrust |
|
Weight: |
4764 kg |
|
Max. Take off weight: |
7100 kg |
|
Max. Speed: |
8840 Kph |
|
Range: |
? km on internal fuel |
|
Weapons: |
- 4x 30 mm MK
108 cannons
|
|
Me-262C-1a
(rocket boosted) Heimatschützer |
|
First flight: |
October 16th
1944 (without use of rocket-engine
February 27th
1945 (First flight with use of rocket-engine) |
|
First Delivery: |
- |
|
First Operational: |
- |
|
Crew: |
1 |
|
Wing Span: |
12,51 m |
|
Wing Area: |
21,70 m² |
|
Length: |
10,60 m |
|
Height: |
3,83 m |
|
Engine (s): |
-two BMW 003R turbojet with 800 kg. thrust
-one BMW 718
bi-fuel rocket motor with 1225 kg. thrust |
|
Weight: |
5680 kg |
|
Max. Take off weight: |
8260 kg |
|
Max. Speed: |
928 Kph |
|
Time 0 to 11.750 m.: |
form standing:
4,5 minutes |
|
Range: |
1050 km on internal fuel |
|
Weapons: |
- 6x 30 mm MK
108 cannons
|
The
Me-262 flown at the ILA Berlin 2006 (as seen in the photo's) is powered by two
General Electric J-85/CJ-610 turbofans, The
original Jumo engines by Junkers had a lifespan of around 25 hours and failed
regularly, more Me-262 were destroyed by engine failure and other problems than
by enemy fire. The only flying Me-262 replica in Europe is owned by EADS.
Research : M. van Leeuwen
Last page-update © zap16.com
17-Oct-2007
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