Flying the Messerschmitt Me 262
Eric “Winkle” Brown on flying the Messerschmitt Me 262, the Junkers Ju 88, The Focke-Wulf Fw 190, The Messerschmitt Me 163 and other aircraft, followed by his amazing biography.
The Messerschmitt 262 was one of the most iconic and revolutionary aircraft of World War II. In this video, we will take a closer look at the history, design, and performance of the Messerschmitt 262.
The Messerschmitt 262, also known as the Schwalbe (Swallow), was the first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft in the world. It was developed by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt during World War II and entered service in 1944.
The aircraft was designed with a sleek, streamlined fuselage and twin engines that gave it a top speed of over 800 km/h (500 mph). This speed and maneuverability made it a formidable opponent for Allied aircraft and helped it to establish dominance over the skies of Germany.
However, the Messerschmitt 262 was not without its flaws. Its engines were prone to failure and its landing gear was fragile, making it vulnerable to damage during takeoff and landing.
Despite its shortcomings, the Messerschmitt 262 remains an important piece of aviation history and a testament to the ingenuity and technological advancements of the era. Join us as we explore the legacy of this iconic aircraft and pay tribute to the pilots who flew it.
The Me 163 Komet was a rocket-powered interceptor aircraft developed by Messerschmitt during the later stages of World War II. It was designed to intercept and destroy Allied bomber aircraft at high altitudes, and was one of the fastest aircraft of its time, with a top speed of over 1,000 km/h (620 mph).
The aircraft was powered by a Walter HWK 109-509 rocket engine, which allowed it to climb rapidly to altitude but also resulted in a very short flight time of around 8 minutes. To achieve this level of speed, the aircraft was designed with a swept-back wing and a streamlined fuselage, giving it a distinctive and futuristic appearance.
However, the Me 163 Komet was not without its problems. Its rocket engine was dangerous to handle and prone to exploding, and the aircraft was difficult to fly and had a high accident rate. Additionally, its armament was limited, consisting of only two 30mm MK 108 cannon.
Despite these challenges, the Me 163 Komet remains an important piece of aviation history and a symbol of the innovative spirit of the era.
Me 262 General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Length: 10.6 m (34 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 12.6 m (41 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 21.7 m2 (234 sq ft)
Aspect ratio: 7.32
Empty weight: 3,795 kg (8,367 lb) [155]
Gross weight: 6,473 kg (14,271 lb) [155]
Max takeoff weight: 7,130 kg (15,719 lb) [155]
Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 004B-1 axial-flow turbojet engines, 8.8 kN (1,980 lbf) thrust each
Performance
Maximum speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn)
Range: 1,050 km (650 mi, 570 nmi)
Service ceiling: 11,450 m (37,570 ft)
Rate of climb: 20 m/s (3,900 ft/min) at max weight of 7,130 kg (15,720 lb)
Thrust/weight: 0.28
Armament
Guns: 4 × 30 mm MK 108 cannon (the A-2a had only two cannons)
Rockets: 24 × 55 mm (2.2 in) R4M rockets
Bombs: 2 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs or 2 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs (A-2a variant)
Me 163 Komet General characteristics:
Crew: 1
Capacity: (Me 163S + 1)
Length: 5.7 m (18 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 9.3 m (30 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 19.6 m2 (211 sq ft)
Empty weight: 1,905 kg (4,200 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,309 kg (9,500 lb)
Fuel capacity:
C-Stoff (fuel) 468 kg (1,032 lb)
T-Stoff (oxidiser) 1,550 kg (3,420 lb)
Plan view of the un-restored Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet at the Smithsonian Institute’s Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, USA.
Powerplant: 1 × Hellmuth Walter Kommanditgesellschaft HWK 109-509A-2 bi-propellant liquid-fuelled rocket motor, 14.71 kN (3,307 lbf) thrust maximum; 980 N (220 lbf) minimum, fully variable
Performance
Never exceed speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn) at all altitudes, sea level to 12,000 m (39,000 ft)[clarification needed]
Flap limiting speed: 300 km/h (190 mph; 160 kn)
Rotate speed at take-off: 280 km/h (170 mph; 150 kn)
Best climbing speed: 700–720 km/h (430–450 mph; 380–390 kn)
Endurance: 7.5 mins powered
Rate of climb: 81 m/s (16,000 ft/min)
Time to altitude: From standing start
2,000 m (6,600 ft) in 1.48 min
4,000 m (13,000 ft) in 2.02 min
6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 2.27 min
8,000 m (26,000 ft) in 2.54 min
10,000 m (33,000 ft) in 3.19 min
12,000 m (39,000 ft) in 3.45 min
Wing loading: 209 kg/m2 (43 lb/sq ft) at maximum take-off weight
Thrust/weight: 0.42
Armament
Guns:
2 × 30 mm (1.181 in) Rheinmetall Borsig MK 108 cannon with 60 rpg (B-1a)
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