Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Messerschmitt AG
Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe Aircraft Overview
The Messerschmitt Me 262, also known as the Schwalbe (“Swallow”), was a German jet-powered fighter aircraft developed during World War II. It was the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft, and it had a significant impact on the course of the war.
The Me 262 was designed and developed by the German engineer Willy Messerschmitt, and it first flew in 1941. The aircraft was powered by two Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines, which gave it a top speed of around 840 km/h (520 mph) and a range of approximately 1,000 km (620 miles). It was armed with four MK 108 30mm cannon and could carry a variety of bombs and rockets.
The Me 262 was initially developed as a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft, but it was soon modified for use as a fighter and fighter-bomber. It was used by the Luftwaffe in a variety of roles, including air superiority, ground attack, and reconnaissance. The Me 262 was an advanced aircraft for its time, and it was faster and more maneuverable than most of the Allied aircraft it faced.
However, the Me 262 was not without its flaws. It was difficult to fly and had a high accident rate, and its engines were prone to failure. The production of the Me 262 was also hampered by a shortage of materials and skilled labor. Despite these challenges, the Me 262 was a formidable aircraft, and it had a significant impact on the air war in Europe.
Overall, the Messerschmitt Me 262 was an important aircraft in the history of aviation, and it helped pave the way for the development of jet-powered aircraft in the years after World War II.
Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a Specifications
- 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)
- Gross weight: 6,473 kg (14,271 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,130 kg (15,719 lb)
- Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 004B-1 axial-flow turbojet engines, 8.8 kN (1,980 lbf) thrust each.
Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a 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
Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a 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)
