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dave lukins · 05-05-2008, 16:01 PM

26 November, 1943 was to be a fateful day for the Me 262. During a demonstration of the Luftwaffe's latest equipment Hitler he asked "Can it carry bombs". Eager to please the Führer, Messerschmitt assured him that it could carry a bomb load of 500kg and perhaps 1000kg. That was all Hitler needed to hear. "For years I have been demanding a fast bomber from the Luftwaffe - and now in this aircraft you present to me as a fighter I see the Blitz Bomber. Of course none of you thought of that!". Hitler envisioned his new bomber streaming over the impending Allied invasion causing havoc and confusion to the extent of allowing his ground forces to repel the attack on the beaches. This was not to happen.

The aircraft, as a bomber, was plagued with problems. As a dive bomber, the 262 would exceed its maximum speed, as a low level bomber it consumed too much fuel thus unacceptably reducing range, and as a high level bomber without an appropriate bomb sight the pilot would be lucky to hit within the same zip code of the target. With the exception of one aircraft, the V10 which was used for bomber testing, development of the 262 continued as a fighter.

Castellano, I doubt that it was a record holder when it comes to "Victories"

05-05-2008, 16:01 PM	#784 (permalink)
dave lukins *Military Professional* Join Date: 01-04-07 Location: cheshire uk Posts: 5,499 Country:	26 November, 1943 was to be a fateful day for the Me 262. During a demonstration of the Luftwaffe's latest equipment Hitler he asked "Can it carry bombs". Eager to please the Führer, Messerschmitt assured him that it could carry a bomb load of 500kg and perhaps 1000kg. That was all Hitler needed to hear. "For years I have been demanding a fast bomber from the Luftwaffe - and now in this aircraft you present to me as a fighter I see the Blitz Bomber. Of course none of you thought of that!". Hitler envisioned his new bomber streaming over the impending Allied invasion causing havoc and confusion to the extent of allowing his ground forces to repel the attack on the beaches. This was not to happen. The aircraft, as a bomber, was plagued with problems. As a dive bomber, the 262 would exceed its maximum speed, as a low level bomber it consumed too much fuel thus unacceptably reducing range, and as a high level bomber without an appropriate bomb sight the pilot would be lucky to hit within the same zip code of the target. With the exception of one aircraft, the V10 which was used for bomber testing, development of the 262 continued as a fighter. Castellano, I doubt that it was a record holder when it comes to "Victories" Last edited by dave lukins : 05-05-2008 at 17:08 PM.