Who Likes Aircraft ?

[Photon440]

The Me 262 looks like a killer, but in retrospect German engineers were nuts to put those unreliable jet engines so far out on the wings. They must have lost quite a few a few irreplaceable pilots to asymmetrical thrust issues caused by an engine-out on takeoff or landing.

Comparing it to the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star that entered service only a year later, the Shooting Star managed to be almost 100 mph hour faster on one engine and a straight wing.

Aircraft designs advanced so quickly back then, the P-80 design started a few years after the ME-262, 1943 vs. 1939. The Shooting Star did have a much better engine though with more than twice the power of both Junker engines combined on the Messerschmitt, but the maximum speed was 34 mph. faster. It also had and extra 10,000 foot ceiling. If the 262 had the power of the p-80, it would likely have been faster, and the 262 did have a higher mach limit.

Calling the German engines unreliable was pretty accurate, they had a very short life span due to material shortages during the war. Higher lifespan engines had been developed but the production units relied on cheaper steel, resulting in only 25 hours of use.

As for engine placement, the original design called for them in the wing roots but putting them on the wings greatly improved servicing. Due to the lack of engine torque compared to a prop plane, single engine flight was found to be quite controllable for flying or landing.

 

[JR_Charger]

Aircraft designs advanced so quickly back then, the P-80 design started a few years after the ME-262, 1943 vs. 1939. The Shooting Star did have a much better engine though with more than twice the power of both Junker engines combined on the Messerschmitt, but the maximum speed was 34 mph. faster. It also had and extra 10,000 foot ceiling. If the 262 had the power of the p-80, it would likely have been faster, and the 262 did have a higher mach limit.

Calling the German engines unreliable was pretty accurate, they had a very short life span due to material shortages during the war. Higher lifespan engines had been developed but the production units relied on cheaper steel, resulting in only 25 hours of use.

As for engine placement, the original design called for them in the wing roots but putting them on the wings greatly improved servicing. Due to the lack of engine torque compared to a prop plane, single engine flight was found to be quite controllable for flying or landing.

Lockheed did have the L-133 Starjet under development in '39. If they'd started with the simpler P-80 instead, it likely would have flown before the Me-262. Of course the Germans were working under constant bombardment, and Lockheed wasn't.

Wikipedia says the P-80 was nearly 100 mph faster than the 262, but Wikipedia isn't the greatest source. For all I know, they could be referring to the final version built in the 50's.

I seriously doubt the 262 was more controllable with one engine out than similar twin engine jets were. Here's a thread about 262 losses that diverts into single engine losses of Meteors and Canberras. It's true that a jet won't have the same torque trying to roll the aircraft as a piston engine plane swinging a big prop, but the thrust will still make the airplane yaw when it only has one working engine halfway out on the wing. It's shocking to me that the engines were placed so far out, even considering the maintenance concerns. Actually, looking at the pictures again, I think I understand why they did it - they needed a wide landing gear for rough field operation. The Meteor and Canberra are the same. What an awful compromise. I don't see a better way of doing it if the plane has to operate off rough fields with high maintenance/short life engines.

 

[Basket case]

Swamp Ghost

 

[JR_Charger]

Where's that at?

 

[Basket case]

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

 

[polywideblock]

but they were the first!

 

[Photon440]

http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/Images/Me262/262PilotHandbook.pdf

Since we're on the topic, here's the ME-262 pilot's handbook to peruse... It appears to be the post-war American version used for evaluating captured jets.

 

[Photon440]

The Lockheed R6V Constitution - one of two built, and the largest fixed wing aircraft ever operated by the U.S. Navy.

 

[JR_Charger]

 

[Photon440]

 

[Basket case]

Grumman F4F Pearl Harbor

 

[JR_Charger]

 

[JackR]

Yuma Az Army training grounds. All kinds of stuff on display.

 

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[Richard Cranium]

The Krauts sure did have some innovative designs back in the day.

 

[Joske2]

The Krauts sure did have some innovative designs back in the day.

Its Japanese , Kuyshu J7W, only 2 prototype's made.

 

[JR_Charger]

The Krauts sure did have some innovative designs back in the day.

Don't count America out!

 

[polywideblock]

 

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