German jet aircraft "Messerschmitt-262": history of creation, design features, photo

High-speed interceptor Messerschmitt interceptor ME-262 Schwalbe ("Messerschmitt ME-262 Swallow") appeared on the battlefield only in 1944. It is impossible to say for sure what kind of work this machine intended. Experiments with the plane continued even on the battlefield. He served as a fighter (including night), bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The car was single and double, combat and training. It installed the newest system of blind landing, experimental radar equipment, tested sights, guns of various calibres and many other experimental equipment. The German industry produced about 25 modifications of this aircraft.

"Messerschmitt-262" was the world's first serial jet engine, which was directly involved in combat operations. The Germans called it "Swallow" (Schwalbe), the Americans and the British - "Petrel". Until the end of the war, the German industry produced 1,433 cars. Thus, "Messerschmitt ME-262" can be considered the most massive jet plane of the Second World War.

History of the creation of aircraft

Perhaps, none of the aircraft models has experienced such difficulties in the process of becoming as Messerschmitt-262. The history of the creation of this machine, its development and bringing it to serial production were complicated not only by bureaucratic delays and inadequate financing, but also by a multitude of technological problems.

His first flight, according to A. Speer - the Minister of Armaments of Germany, this plane carried out a month before the attack of German troops on the USSR. In the first model of ME-262, more piston engines were used. However, they were not powerful enough. The following year, it was decided to use the jet engines Jumo-004, which the Junkers company developed and began to produce.

In history, many facts are known when the coming innovations brought to naught the entire value of the weapons of the previous generation. "Messerschmitt-262" can be considered one of those. The advantage of the new machine in front of enemy aircraft was obvious, but the childhood illnesses of the German economy became an insurmountable obstacle to its mass production.

The main problems that haunted the development of the aircraft throughout its history include: firstly, the unreliability of the Jumo turbojet engines with which the Messerschmitt-262 was equipped. They were very unreliable in a rarefied atmosphere and required a lengthy and thorough revision. Secondly, tires installed on the chassis wheels also did not differ in quality. They often burst during landing, although the speed of the landing aircraft was only 190 km / h. Together with the complex military and political situation in Germany and the indecision of the higher command in the construction of new aircraft, these circumstances led to the fact that Messerschmitt ME-262 (photo above) appeared on the battlefield only in the second half of 1944, with a six-month delay . He could not become the miracle weapon that, as Adolf Hitler had hoped, would help Germany regain dominance in the airspace of Europe. But this could very well have happened.

When all the shortcomings were eliminated, it became clear to the German designers that all the flight characteristics of the new machine leave the parameters of the Allied aircraft far behind. The constructed aircraft "Messerschmitt-262" could be safely considered a masterpiece of domestic aircraft construction.

Description

The latest model of the "Messerschmitt-262", the design of which did not yet resemble a jet engine of the present time, was equipped with two turbojet engines and straight sweep wings. The maximum speed of movement was almost 850 km / h. The height of 9,000 meters, he recruited in 7 minutes. The maximum altitude of the flight was 11,000 meters. Of the weapons should be noted four 30-mm cannon MK-108, each projectile which could easily knock down a heavy bomber. They were located in pairs in each of the wings, one above the other. There was also the possibility of installing up to 12 unguided missiles.

Allied reaction to the appearance of Messerschmitt-262

The allies, heavily occupied by the European sky, were shocked by the appearance of the ME-262. Most of all, this surprise did not appeal to American bombers, accustomed to making unpunished day-long raids on cities and military installations in Germany. It seemed that a little more and all the advantage in the air would be lost.

But to help Anglo-Americans unexpectedly came Adolf Hitler. The fact is that initially the Germans successfully used the jet "Messerschmitt-262" as an interceptor fighter. The Fuhrer insistently demanded the use of this aircraft as a high-speed bomber capable, without paying attention to the fighters' resistance, to frustrate the appearance of allies on the European stage of military operations.

German pilots about a new generation car

In 1943, it was the head of the fighter aviation of the Luftwaffe, General Adolf Galland, who tried the new car. He expressed his impressions with a short phrase: "This car flies as if it is worn by angels." According to another pilot, Jorga Scypionski, "Messerschmitt-262" (photo of which is contained in the article) was not particularly difficult to manage. The main thing is to do everything according to the instructions, then the car will behave peacefully and not become capricious. Because of the unusually high speed, the main thing in combat was to catch the enemy aircraft in sight. In this case, the pilot became the king of the situation.

Armament at the plane was so powerful that one volley was enough to make it all over. Nevertheless, even the experienced pilots were not so easy to cope with this obstinate machine. It required an indispensable retraining, which required a lot of time.

The fighter unit "Yagdferband 744 (J744)"

One of the categorical opponents of Hitler's and Goering's decision to use the Messerschmitt-262 fighter as a bomber was the commander of the Luftwaffe fighter aircraft, the veteran of the battle for England Adolf Galland. In January 1945, during a meeting attended by the entire German air force, he publicly expressed doubts about Göring's competence as commander of the country's air fleet. As a result, the obstinate general was removed from office. However, he did not give up.

To prove his case, Galland proposed to form a special compound under his command, equipping him with the aircraft "Messerschmitt ME-262". Gerhard Barhorn (including 301 air races), Heinz Baer (220 victories), Walter Krupinski (197 victories), Johaness Steinhoff (176 wins), Gunther Lutzov (108 wins) and The compound was called the "Fighter part" Yagdferband 744 (J744) ".

Short biography of "Yagdferband 744 (J744)"

In March 1945, the headquarters of the new compound was stationed at the Munich-Riem airfield, from where it proceeded to intercept the armadas of the Allied bombers, who made day-long raids on Germany. For a month with a little for this newly emerged elite airship there were already 45 downed Allied aircraft. However, this did not last long. May 3, 1945, it was defeated by the Allies in Salzburg.

Adolf Gallan himself also did not refuse the helm of the plane. He took part in many operations to intercept the raids of Allied bombers. On April 25, during one of them, he was shot down by an American fighter of cover "R-47 R-47". The pilot was wounded in both knees and could not normally land his fighter on a field dug by a funnel.

Victories of German pilots

The first victory behind the helm of the reactive Messerschmitt-262 was won by Adolf Schreiber. This event took place on June 26, 1944. In addition to the above-mentioned pilots, Messerschmitt-262 helped to become famous for Franz Schall, he won 14 victories on the ME-262 (137 in all), 12 (58) for Hermann Buchner, 12 (78 for Georg Peter), 12 (222) for Erich Rudorfer, , Karl Schnorrer - 11 (46), Johannes Steinhoff - 6 (176), Walter Nowotny (total 248 victories), etc.

German pilots believed that Messerschmitt-262 was so invulnerable that they boldly entered into fights with the enemy, which was many times larger than their number. So, on March 19, 1945, 28 German pilots, at the helms of the Meserschmidt 262, were not afraid to engage in a battle with a huge cloud of American aircraft consisting of 1,300 bombers and 750 fighter jets. Despite their small numbers, they managed to disperse the entire armada, preventing a raid on one of the objects in Germany.

How the Allies fought with the ME-262

In direct confrontation with the Messerschmitt-262, any Allied aircraft was doomed to defeat. Losing to him in speed, maneuver and power of arms, the victory could not even dream of. And yet the Achilles' heel was found. Not even one. The fact is that the jet fighter "Messerschmitt-262" was very vulnerable at takeoff and landing. At these moments, it was decided to bet in confrontation with him.

First of all, all the forces were thrown on the reconnaissance of the airfields on which the German "Swallows" were based. After that, their runway was subjected to merciless bombardment. It was mixed with the ground almost daily. This continued until the Messerschmitts-262, based on the airfield, was transported to another location.

There are also several facts of the destruction of the Messers on takeoff. So, on October 7, 1944, Lieutenant Urban Drew, flying through the territory of the enemy, noticed a pair of jet aircraft starting from the airfield. Using the advantage in height and speed, the pilot boldly attacked the opponents and brought down both, not allowing the speed to gather.

Several IU-262 was destroyed in air battles. So, on November 8, 1944, one of the Luftwaffe aces Walter Nowotny, who had previously knocked down 258 enemy aircraft, was shot down by one of the Mustang R-51 fighters covering him during the attack of the American bomber compound.

Characteristics of Messerschmitt-262

The length of the aircraft was 10.6 m, height - 3.8 m, the wingspan - 12.5 m, the wing area - 21.8 m. The weight of the empty machine was 3800 kg, the normal take-off weight - 6400 kg, the maximum take-off weight - 7140 kg. The practical ceiling of the lift was 11 km. The maximum speed at the maximum altitude was 855 km / h. The armament consisted of 4 guns MK-108. It was also possible to install 12 unguided rockets R4M.

The winners of jet Messerschmitt-262: the Allies

The winners of reactive Messerschmitts among the Allies are not that many. For the most part, the German "swallows" were destroyed at the airfields, preventing them from climbing. Nevertheless, downed Messerschmitts-262 were recorded on the account of Captain J. Bendrault (386th FS), Lieutenant Miiller (353rd FG), Major Z. Connor (78th FG), pilot Officer Bob Cole ( RAF 3rd Squadron), Lieutenant Lamb (78th FG), Lieutenant Wilson (401 Canadian Aviation Squadron), and others.

Winners of jet Messerschmitt-262: Eastern Front

In addition to the West European theater of military operations, the Messerschmitts-262 appeared on the Eastern Front. True, the information about this is rather sparse. Nevertheless, in the list of winners of "Messerschmitt-262" there are surnames and Soviet aces. Officially registered downed jet "Messers" on their account are Ivan Kozhedub, Lev Sivko, Ivan Kuznetsov, Yakov Okolepov and Alexander Dolgunov. Presumably, two more names should be included in this list: Harry Merkviladze, the pilot of the 152nd Guards Air Regiment and Vladimir Egorovich from the 402nd Fighter Aviation Regiment.

However, there was no evidence of their victories in the archives.

Conclusion

During the entire period of the Second World War , Germany's industry built and sent to the front 1,433 airplanes "Messerschmitt-262" including its various modifications. However, not all cars took part in the hostilities. The lack of fuel, the shortage of qualified personnel and the deficit of suitable airfield bases (the car required an extended runway) played an important role in the fate of the world's first Messerschmitt ME-262 jet aircraft. And yet he left a notable mark in the history of world aviation. After all, his appearance marked the beginning of the era of jet aviation.