TYPE: Interceptor fighter

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two BMW 003R units, each of which comprised a BMW 003A turbojet engine, rated 800 kp and a BMW 718 bi-fuel rocket motor rated at 1.230 kp

PERFORMANCE: 510 mph at 32,800 ft

COMMENT: The second rocket-boosted development, the Messerschmitt Me 262C-2b ‘Heimatschützer II’ (‘Home Protector II’), also converted from a Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a, made its sole test flight in March 1945. The Me 262C-2b was powered by two BMW 003R units each of which comprised a BMW 003A turbojet and a BMW 718 liquid-fuel rocket motor. The arrangement of the fuel tanks was similar to that of the Messerschmitt Me 262C-1a except that “S-Stoff’ occupied the forward main tank and ‘R-Stoff’ was housed by the aft auxiliary tank. The BMW 718 rocket motor was highly temperamental, and although some 50 bench runs were made with the complete BMW 003R unit, on several occasions the rocket component blew up and burned fiercely. Only one flight with the sole Messerschmitt Me 262C-2a ‘Heimatschützer II’ under full power was made. Further work concentrated on the Messerschmitt Me 262C-3b ‘Heimatschützer IV’. However, the aircraft shown here could be attached to the ISS 1 (Industrie Schutz Staffel 1 (Industry Protection Squadron) —- assumed of serial production (Ref.: 7).

TYPE: Interceptor fighter

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Junkers Jumo 004C-1 turbojet engines, rated at 980 kp and one Walter HWK 509A-1 liquid-fueled rocket engine, rated at 1,600 kp

PERFORMANCE: 535 mph at 26,250 ft

COMMENT: Early in 1945, considerable importance was attached to the rapid development of rocket-boosted ‘Heimatschützer’ (‘Home Protector’) versions of the Messerschmitt Me 262 capable of climbing to intercept altitude with extreme rapidity. The first of these, the Messerschmitt Me 262C-1a ‘Heimatschützer I’ converted from a Me 262A-1a, was flown for the first time on February 27, 1945. The Me 262C-1a had a Walter bi-fuel rocket motor mounted in the extreme rear of the fuselage. Tanks for the ‘T-Stoff’ and ‘C-Stoff’ for the rocket engine and the fuel tanks for the turbojet engines were located in the fuselage. Although the rocket motor did reduce the take-off run of the Me 262C-1a, its primary function was to boost climb rate. Once started the rocket motor provided full power for three minutes which was sufficient to push the Me 262C-1a to an altitude of 26,250 ft. From a standing start an altitude of 38,400 ft could be reached in 4.5 min. Four flight tests were completed before development of this ‘Heimatschützer’ was discarded in favor of the Messerschmitt Me 262C-3 ‘Heimatschützer IV’. One Messerschmitt Me 262C-1a only was built, but the aircraft shown here could be attached to the JV 44 (Jagd Verband, Pursuit Unit) —- assumed of serial production (Ref.:  7).

TYPE: High speed experimental aircraft

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Junkers Jumo 004B-2 turbojet engines, rated at 900 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 624 mph

COMMENT: The Messerschmitt Me 262 V9 was the 9^th prototype and had nearly the same airframe as the Me 262A. It was completed in January 1944, it’s primary task being high speed trials up to the fighter’s Mach limitation. During the course of these various aerodynamic improvements were introduced. The leading edge of the inner wing as well as of the vertical tail was increased to 45 degree, the leading edge of the horizontal tail was swept back to 40 degree, a shallow, low-drag cockpit canopy was installed, and the muzzles were faired over. The highest speed attained by this experimental aircraft being 624 mph which was clocked at Leipheim on July 1944 (Ref.:  7).

TYPE: Interceptor, fighter

ACCOMMODATION: Pilot only

POWER PLANT: Two Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet engines, rated at 900 kp each

PERFORMANCE: 540 mph at 19,700 ft

COMMENT: The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed ‘Schwalbe’ (‘Swallow’) was the world’s first operational turbojet engine powered fighter aircraft. Design work started in late 1938 when deliveries the first brand new BMW and Junkers turbojet engines were expected. Immediately, Messerschmitt began design studies on a fighter project under the designation Messerschmitt Me P.1065. The RLM ordered to build a mock-up and the evaluation expected promising results. Delayed production of turbojet engines led to the installation of a Junkers Jumo 210 G piston engine into the first aircraft, now officially designated Messerschmitt Me 262 V1. In spring 1940  first BMW P.3302 turbojets were available (prototypes of the later BMW 003 jet engines) and – installed additionally to the piston engine – the first flight was made on March 1942. Because the BMW engines were not operationally at all the Me 262 V-3 was equipped with two Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines and made the first pure jet flight in July 1942. All flight tests were promising and production order for the new fighter was placed. One of the most advanced aviation designs in operational use during World War II, the Me 262 was used in a variety of roles, including light bomber, fighter bomber, reconnaissance, and night fighter. The Me 262 was faster, and more heavily-armed than any Allied fighter, including the first British turbojet-powered fighter Gloster ‘Meteor’. But permanent engine problems and top-level interference kept the aircraft from operational status with the Luftwaffe until mid-1944. In total about 1,400 Me 262s were produced when the WW II ended. Primary production version was the Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a, usable as both fighter and fighter-bomber. The aircraft shown here belonged to the III./JG 7 (Third Group / Fighter Squadron 7) and has two Wfr.Gr. 21 (‘Werfer-Granate’, Rocket propelled shell) on bomb racks (Ref.: 20, 24).