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Me262
Manufacturer : Messerschmitt
Number Built : 1400
Production Began :
Retired :
Type :
The Messerschmitt Me-262 Swallow, a masterpiece of engineering, was the first operational mass-produced jet to see service. Prototype testing of the airframe commenced in 1941 utilizing a piston engine. General Adolf Galland, who was in charge of the German Fighter Forces at that time, pressured both Goring and Hitler to accelerate the Me-262, and stress its use as a fighter to defend Germany from Allied bombers. Hitler, however, envisioned the 262 as the aircraft which might allow him to inflict punishment on Britain. About 1400 Swallows were produced, but fortunately for the Allies, only about 300 saw combat duty. While the original plans for the 262 presumed the use of BMW jet engines, production Swallows were ultimately equipped with Jumo 004B turbojet engines. The wing design of the 262 necessitated the unique triangular hull section of the fuselage, giving the aircraft a shark-like appearance. With an 18 degree swept wing, the 262 was capable of Mach .86. The 262 was totally ineffective in a turning duel with Allied fighters, and was also vulnerable to attack during take off and landings. The landing gear was also suspect, and many 262s were destroyed or damaged due to landing gear failure. Despite its sleek jet-age appearance, the 262 was roughly manufactured, because Germany had lost access to its normal aircraft assembly plants. In spite of these drawbacks the 262 was effective. For example, on April 7, 1945 a force of sixty 262s took on a large force of Allied bombers with escort fighters. Armed with their four nose-mounted cannons, and underwing rockets the Swallows succeeded in downing or damaging 25 Allied B-17s on that single mission. While it is unlikely that the outcome of the War could have been altered by an earlier introduction or greater production totals for this aircraft, it is clear to many historians that the duration of the War might have been drastically lengthened if the Me-262 had not been too little too late.
Me262
  Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 by Ivan Berryman. (PC) |   Wounded Swallow by Ivan Berryman. (PC) |   White 8 - Walter Nowotny by Ivan Berryman. |   Night Hunters by Anthony Saunders. |
Me262 Artwork Collection |
  Ready for Combat by Ivan Berryman. |   Morning Maintenance by Ivan Berryman. |   Defending the Homeland by Ivan Berryman. |
  Me262B Night Fighter by Ivan Berryman. |   Messerschmitt 262 by Graeme Lothian. (P) |   Messerschmitt Me262B-1a/U1 by Ivan Berryman. |
  Jet Ace by Brian Bateman. (P) |   Wounded Swallow by Ivan Berryman. |   Shooting Swallows by Brian Bateman. (P) |
  Clipped Signature - Adolf Galland. |   Clipped Signature - Walter Schuck. |   Clipped Signature - Hermann Buchner. |
  Clipped Signature - Werner Roell. |   Clipped Signature - Gunther Rall. |   Clipped Signature - Hans-Ekkehard Bob. |
  Clipped Signature - Wolfgang Schenck. |   Clipped Signature - Herbert Altner. |   Clipped Signature - Wendelin Trenkle. |
  Jet Attack by David Pentland. |   Defenders of the Reich by Graeme Lothian. |   Me262 1As of 3rd Gruppe JG7 by Randall Wilson. (GL) |
  In Defense of the Reich by Nicolas Trudgian. |   JV44 - Kette of Swallows by Graeme Lothian. |   Adolf Galland by Graeme Lothian. |
  Running the Gauntlet by Robert Taylor. |  Thunder from the Heavens by Brian Bateman. |   Clash Over Remagen by Nicolas Trudgian. |
  End Game by Nicolas Trudgian. |   Jet Strike by Nicolas Trudgian (AP) |   Victory Over the Rhine by Nicolas Trudgian. |
  Alpine Thunder by Nicolas Trudgian. |   Return of the Hunters by Nicolas Trudgian. |   First of the Jets by Nicolas Trudgian. |
  Alpine Scramble by Nicolas Trudgian. |   Fighter General by Robert Taylor. |   Shooting Swallows by Brian Bateman. (P) |
  Jet Legend by Gerald Coulson. | Night Hunters by Anthony Saunders. | White 8 - Walter Nowotny by Ivan Berryman. |
  Out of the Blue by Ivan Berryman. (PC) |   The End by David Pentland. |   The New Unit, Kaltenkirchen, Germany 1945 by David Pentland. |
  Squadron Leader Schuck, Germany, Spring 1945 by David Pentland. |   The New Steed by David Pentland. |   Deadly Pass by David Pentland. |
  Moskito-Jager by Iain Wyllie. |   Defence of the Reich by Keith Woodcock. |   Luftwaffe Messerschmitt Me262A-1a by Barry Price. |
  JV44 by Robert Taylor. |   The Bridge at Remagen by Robert Taylor. |   Stormbirds over the Reich by Robert Taylor. |
  Combat over the Reich by Robert Taylor. |   Too Little Too Late by Stan Stokes. |
