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| Messerschmitt Me262 "Swallow" |
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| The Me262 was the world's first jet fighter. Its development began in 1938; it flew for the first time on all-jet power in 1942. In spite of the enthusiasm of the German Air Ministry for the sensational new single-seat, twin-jet fighter, Adolf Hitler insisted that the plane be used as a bomber, and the first bomber version, the Me-262 Stormbird, flew on May 1, 1944. The plane was not a great success as a bomber, and it once again became primarily a fighter when Hitler realized his decision had been wrong. The double changeover made quantity production of the Me-262 impossible. Only 1,433 had been turned out before the war ended, but the few Me262's that did go into action were able to inflict considerable damage on Allied bombers.
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| Type: | A-1a: single-seat fighter
A-2a: single-seat bomber
B-1a: two-seat night fighter |
| Engine: | 2 Junkers Jumo 004B, Axial Turbojets
Thrust: 1,980 lb |
| Dimensions: | Span: 41 ft. 6 in.
Length: 34 ft. 9 in.
Height: 11 ft. 7 ns. |
| Weights: | Empty: 10,500 lbs.
Loaded: 15,500 lbs. |
| Performance: | Maximum speed: 540 mph
Climb rate: 3,600/min
Ceiling: 39,000 ft.
Range on internal fuel: 650 Mile |
| Armament: | Four 30mm MK 108 cannon in nose - Two with 100 rounds each, two with 80 rounds. |
| Bomb Load: | 2,204 lbs. |
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