Posted on 08/24/2016 2:39:24 AM PDT by Enchante
Encounter Report from November 6, 1944
Cool historical document
Chuck Yeager shoots down an ME-262 and damages 2 more.
(Excerpt) Read more at chuckyeager.com ...
Some more info here:
http://www.ww2f.com/topic/691-me-262-vs-p-51/
Just something I happened upon while wondering about the early encounters of US fighter planes with the ME-262.
Since the ME-262 had a 100 mph speed advantage over the P-51 in level flight, the US pilots had to be very careful about how to engage. Mostly they tried to attack the ME-262s around their own airfields, during takeoffs or landings, when they were highly vulnerable.
But the US fighters could out-turn the ME-262s so there were ways to win in dogfights.
I seem to remember in reading his book when it first came out that the secret was to go high and come down on them from above while the 262’s were trying to engage the bombers that the 51’s were tasked with.
Yes, but the higher speed aircraft always has the overall advantage in that they determine the engagement. You run, they chase you down; they run, engagement is over. Of course, fuel considerations, ROE, etc. can change the immediate circumstances.
A biplane is far more manuverable than a jet, but somehow every Air Force uses jets.
They would also fly high above and dive to catch up in speed for a bit.
That’s nothing. Buck Dharma and Blue Oyster Cult did that in 1875...and they didn’t use a cowbell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgRdz3p5Voc
that should be 1975...
ME 262 only had about 30 minutes fuel. It was a very short ride so to speak, thus it was possible to follow it home.
Yes, but the point would be to protect a group of B-17s on the run up to a bomb approach before the flak.
Following one or more 262s home after they’ve sliced through the bombers would only be a secondary goal IMO. Just my two cents.
bfl
Find an episode of "Wings" on YouTube about the p-51 or the ME 262 and they specifically mention that the Americans would try to jump the 262 at takeoff or landing. American fighters returning from escort duties were also told to engage in ground attack where there were opportunities... and they did plenty of damage.
Chuck Yeager is still living! What a guy!
No doubt. But I remember decades ago of some descriptions about the higher altitude jump, too. There was a P 47 shoot down of one in this manner, IIRC.
I agree after returning from a bomb run protection it is a great goal if the primary goal was completed. But to me the primary goal would be to stop them from tearing up the bombers before they drop.
I read chucks 2 autobiographies ‘Yeager’ and ‘other stories’. Back then they called the 262 “blowjobs”
When I visit my opthalmologist, he does the the scroll letters, and when I can’t read them any more, he scrolls down maybe four more notches. He then says, “read those.” I reply, “I can’t, they are barely pinpricks.” He chuckles and says, “you could read them if you were Chuck Yeager.”
The P-38 Lightning could outclimb the ME-262 but by that time in the war, P-38’s in Europe had been moved to unarmed photo-reconn.
The 262 About an hour of fuel at cruising speed.
The ME 163 komet rocket fighter had about 10 minutes of flying time. They glided home
I was watching a program about the A-26 Invader (I do like those aircraft programs) and they claimed an A-26 shot down an ME 262.
Over a thousand rounds of .50 cal.
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