https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_262
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The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed Schwalbe (German: "Swallow") in fighter
versions, or Sturmvogel (German: "Storm Bird") in attack versions, was the
world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started
before World War II began, but engine problems and top-level interference kept
the aircraft from operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944. The Me
262 was faster, and more heavily-armed than any Allied fighter, including the
British jet-powered Gloster Meteor.[6] One of the most advanced aviation designs
in operational use during World War II,[7] the Me 262 was used in a variety of
roles, including light bomber, reconnaissance, and even experimental night
fighter versions.
Me 262 pilots claimed a total of 542 Allied kills, although higher claims are
sometimes made. The Allies countered its potential effectiveness in the air by
attacking the aircraft on the ground and during takeoff and landing. Engine
reliability problems, from the pioneering nature of its Junkers Jumo 004
by Allied forces on fuel supplies during the deteriorating late-war situation
also reduced the effectiveness of the aircraft as a fighting force. In the end,
the Me 262 had a negligible impact on the course of the war as a result of its
late introduction and the consequently small numbers put in operational service.
While German use of the aircraft ended with the close of the Second World War, a
small number were operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1951. Captured Me
262s were studied and flight tested by the major powers, and ultimately
influenced the designs of a number of post-war aircraft such as the North
American F-86 Sabre and Boeing B-47 Stratojet. A number of aircraft have
survived on static display in museums, and there have also been several
privately built flying reproductions.
Role Fighter aircraft
Manufacturer Messerschmitt
First flight 18 April 1941 with piston engine
18 July 1942 with jet engines
Introduction April 1944
Retired 1945, Germany
1951, Czechoslovakia[4]
Primary users Luftwaffe
Czechoslovak Air Force (S-92)
Number built 1,430
The Me 262 was difficult for its opponents to counter because its high speed and
rate of climb made it extremely hard to intercept. As with all other early jets,
the Me 262's engines did not provide a lot of thrust at low air speeds (a key
criterion for good turn performance at low speeds), and throttle response was
slow. Another disadvantage all early jet engines shared was a relatively high
risk of flameout if the pilot used the throttle too aggressively (as is common
in a dogfight).[citation needed] Pilots were instructed to operate the throttle
gently and avoid quick changes. German engineers introduced an automatic
throttle regulator later in the war but it only partly alleviated the problem.
On the plus side, thrust at high speed was much greater than on propeller-driven
aircraft.
Luftwaffe pilots eventually learned how to handle the Me 262's higher speed, and
the Me 262 soon proved a formidable air superiority fighter, with pilots such as
Franz Schall managing to shoot down 12 enemy fighters in the Me 262, 10 of them
American P-51 Mustangs. Other notable Me 262 aces included Georg-Peter Eder,
also with 12 enemy fighters to his credit (including nine P-51s), Erich
Rudorffer also with 12 enemy fighters to his credit, Walther Dahl with 11
(including three Lavochkin La-7s and six P-51s) and Heinz-Helmut Baudach with
six (including one Spitfire and two P-51s) amongst many others.
Specifications (Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a)
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 12.60 m (41 ft 6 in)
Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)
Empty weight: 3,795 kg[101] (8,366 lb)
Loaded weight: 6,473 kg[101] (14,272 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 7,130 kg[101] (15,720 lb)
Aspect ratio: 7.32
Performance
Maximum speed: 900 km/h (559 mph)
Range: 1,050 km (652 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,450 m (37,565 ft)
Rate of climb: 1,200 m/min (At max weight of 7,130 kg) (3,900 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 0.28
Armament
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