Messerschmitt.262

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Type : Messerschmitt 262 fighter, fighter bomber.

Engine : 2 x Junkers Jumo 004B-1 , 2 or 3, 1980 lb thrust each engines.

Performance : Max speed 583 mph at 30.000 ft . Ceiling : 37,500 ft . Max take-off weight : 14,100 lb .

Armament : 4 x 30-mm MK 108 cannons. 24 x R4M rocket projectiles.

Development of the Messserschmitt 262 had begun in 1938 and the first prototype flew in April 1941. In July 1942 if flew with two Jumo 004 turbojets under the wings, eventually recieving a tricycle landing gear, full combat equipment and the devastating armament of four 30-mm MK 108 cannon . Production was scheduled to get under way in 1943 , but allied bombing , and Hitler's insistence that all the Me 262s should be used as bombers instead of fighters, seriously delayed deliveries. EK 262, the operational-research and development group, recieved their first aircraft in June 1944 , followed in September by 111/EJG2 training unit and 8/ZG26 fighter squadron .

There were many variants of the 262, but nearly all the 1433 completed were of the A-1a Schwalbe ( Swallow ) fighter type or the A-2a Sturmvogel ( Stormbird ) bomber with two 551-lb bombs. The A-2a/U2 had a prone bombardier in place of the guns, and among the other versions was the B- family of tandem-seat radar night fighters.All were extremely formidable, though many pilots were killed in training accidents through failure to appreciate that a dual conversion trainer was needed . Most of the allied victories over these aircraft were gained by patrols orbiting the Luftwaffe airfields.