The newly-manufactured Messerschmitt Me262B-1A D-IMTT/N262MS that is such a prominent feature of each day’s ILA 2008 flying display is the one that was presented to the Messerschmitt Foundation here at ILA two years ago.
It is now operated by the EADS Heritage Flight Germany’s Manching airbase, and flown on alternate days by 71-year-old retired test pilot Horst Phillip, who has a wealth of experience on aircraft such as the F-104G Starfighter, and EADS chief test pilot Wolfgang Schirdewahn.
The aircraft only performs relatively low-energy manoeuvres, although this doesn’t detract from the Schwalbe’s (Swallow’s) display. Flying this historic Luftwaffe fighter in the skies over Berlin gives its pilots immense pleasure – as well as a few goose bumps. Nevertheless they display it well and the crowd reaction makes them both proud to be a part of the project.
Built by Legend Flyers, in the USA, and with the original Junkers Jumo-004B-1 engines (1,980lbs thrust) replaced by far more reliable General Electric J85/CJ-610 jet engines of 2,850lbs thrust, this accurate reproduction of the Second World War’s first jet-powered fighter/bomber first flew in August 2005.
Despite its advanced design, engine life was only between 10 and 25 hours, with the mean being at the lower end of this range. These failures were anticipated to some extent and the Me 262 was designed to permit extremely rapid engine changes.
Contrary to popular belief, the 004A engine was a fairly sound performer when premium steels were used and early versions were known to achieve a 200-250-hours service life. However, the diversion of critical materials into U-boat production and other projects late in the war forced Junkers to produce the 004B model with only a third of the high-grade steel that had been used in the 004A.
Despite being desperately unreliable, the Me262 made an immediate impact in the closing days of the Second World War in Europe, especially when it was used to attack massive formations of the US Eighth Airforce’s B-17 and B-24 daylight bombers.
The high speed of the new jet fighter often enabled it to attack – and then to disappear – before the Allied escort fighters could react. However, it proved very vulnerable to attack when landing and taking off, with many being lost to prowling Hawker Typhoons, P-51 Mustangs and Supermarine Spitfires.
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Source: Flight Daily News
