The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed Schwalbe (German: “Swallow”) in fighter versions, or Sturmvogel (German: “Storm Bird”) in fighter-bomber versions, was the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Design work started before World War II began, but problems with engines, metallurgy 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. One of the most advanced aviation designs in operational use during World War II, the Me 262’s roles included light bomber, reconnaissance and experimental night fighter versions.
While German use of the aircraft ended with the close of World War II, a small number were operated by the Czechoslovak Air Force until 1951. It also heavily influenced several designs, such as Sukhoi Su-9 (1946) and Nakajima Kikka.
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)
Gross weight: 6,473 kg (14,271 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 7,130 kg (15,719 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet
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)
Messerschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM ProductionsMesserschmitt Me 262 V056 1/72 Scale Model by MPM Productions Box Art
Messerschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes ModelsMesserschmitt Me 262 V-1 PC+UA 1/72 Scale Model by High Planes Models Box Art
Messerschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a of 3./JG 7 3 Blue Lechfeld March 1945 1/72 Scale Model by RevellMesserschmitt Me 262 A-1a 1/72 Scale Model by Revell Box Art
Messerschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by HasegawaMesserschmitt Me 262 of 10./NJG 11 W.Nr.110635/Red 10 1/72 Scale Model by Hasegawa
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