| ME-262 Schwalbe | |
 
| |
| History | |
| Introduction Date: |
1944 |
| Manufacturer: |
Messerschmitt |
| Service Length: |
1944-1945 |
| Users: |
|
| Technical Data | |
| Type Vehicle: |
Jet Fighter |
| Armaments: |
|
| Defenses: |
Armor Plating |
| Propulsion: |
Junkers Jumo 004 B-1 Turbo Jet Engines (2) |
The ME-262 Schwalbe (Swallow) is the world's first fully operational jet fighter designed by Nazi Germany during World War 2. It's the first generation jet fighter that paved the way for future jet fighter development.
History[]
Before the start of World War 2, engineers and manufacturing companies foresaw the use of a jet powered aircraft. After initial tests with the Heinkel HE-178 the Germans adopted the use of the jet engine for future aircraft. By this time, the ME-262 was the being developed under the name Projekt 1065 (P.1065).
By April of 1939, plans were already drawn out and almost immediately, complications arose wit the new jet engine. Lack of funding was a great drawback due to the fact that the high ranking officers of the Nazi Reich thought the war was easily won with the use of conventional aircraft (namely the propeller aircraft). Despite Hermann Göring's plan to cut engine development to only 35 engines, Willy Messerschmitt wished to maintain mass production of the ME-109s and ME-209s which was supported by Generalmajor Adolf Galland. Galland would later himself fly the ME-262 several years after it's development.
In mid-1943, Adolf Hitler envisioned the new fighter to also be a ground attacker and bomber instead of it being a defensive interception aircraft. This of course caused more complications and stalled the full development of the craft. It was tested with the use of bombs. However these tests failed inadequately and therefore the craft remained a swept wing interceptor.
Operational Readiness[]
By April of 1944, a year before the war would end the Luftwaffe started creating jet fighter squadrons and were sent to attack bombers, as well as other fighters of the Allied forces. The fighter remained in service till the end of World War 2, however even after being retired out of service the ME-262 paved the way for other fighters such as the F-86 Sabre and even the MIG-15s and MIG-19s.
Project: Nachtsonne[]
During Project: Nachtsonne, the SS Paranormal Division were equipped by Messerschmitt with the ME-262. However despite the standard components used, the division modified them greatly and armed them with Black Sun Missiles and made the jet engines into prop fan jet engines. There was an unmodified ME-262 seen in a hanger of the airfield before B.J. Blazkowicz headed to the Zeppelin to stop Wilhelm Strasse. They were also 6 seen in the hanger of the Zeppelin; however these ones were all modified, which Blazkowicz released from the Zeppelin during his mission.
Overview[]
Users[]
Variants[]
Notable Pilots[]
Known Squadrons[]
Remarks[]
Gallery[]
