In 1944 an Me262 was shot down by a P51 pilot named John Fitch. He later became famous as a race car innovator. Pretty much ate Carrol Shelby's lunch with Corvettes that kept breaking fan belts.
Amazing! Didn't expect to see any ME262s taking to the skies again.... for the pre-jet era I love all the WWII aircraft that have been rehabilitated by the CAF:
http://www.commemorativeairforce.org/aircraft/roster-manufacturer.html
I went to their annual airshow in Midland, TX with my dad last October and we both loved it. It was our first time visiting with the CAF and there were lots of great people and aircraft.
Want you fly one in combat? Join the very unfriendly skies of Warbirds III. Remember to pack your parachute. The average participant is 40+ and people take it VERY serious. Many active pilots, probably in excess of 30% or more. Get your wings, come on up, and I will kill you.
How to stop the Air Show, just show up in your brand new ME-262, and watch jaws drop!
Index bump
How I would love to fly stick on that puppy.
I wonder if there would be much of a market for such a thing; especially the two-seater????
I've never seen that cockpit style before. Is that a trainer?
France surrenders!
You've got to hand it to the Germans in WWII. When they set their minds to it. They did build 'em pretty!
I followed the rebuild of the Smithsonian's ME-262 at Silver Hill, MD.
Adolph Galland was present for its unveiling. He was so taken by the craftsmanship that he was soely tempted to climb in the cockpit and fire her up.
Jack.
They would have to change out the engines, as the originals had TBO's measured in 2 digits and there are no parts. The talk was of using learjet engines.
About the ME-163, check out these guys building replicas. here
I think they're the same folks who build the rocket engine in Dick Rutan's Varieasy. So it's not like they're completley bogus.
bookmark
Here's to JG 400
Perhaps Macky Steinhoff is still available to fly..??!!
Is Galland still alive?
"It was as if angels were pushing............."
Galland and his first impression after flying the Schwalbe
One of the most beautiful planes ever built.
This historic film footage was actually employed by the Luftwaffe to initiate their ace pilots to the Messerschmitt ME-262 jet fighter. While some cuts from this film may have been previously seen, it is believed that this entire uncut version has not been viewed since April 1945 at the Lechfeld Luffwaffe 262 training base in Germany.
Using actual Luftwaffe pilots and ground crew, the film briefs the student pilot on the 262's flight controls and instrumentation. Addressed in particular is jet engine theory and operation with the aid of animated graphics. Watch spectacular wet starts of the turbines resulting in huge flames pouring from the engine's exhaust. Witness incredible air to air footage and high speed fly-pasts. Experience your first solo flight in the legendary ME-262 exactly as the new pilots of that era did. Learn how to start the turbines, inject fuel and ignite it.
Understand your jet's revolution thresholds, landing gear and electrical systems. By the time you finish watching this rare piece of real history, you'll feel qualified enough for your first solo flight in the machine. This ME-262 pilot check-out film is narrated by Luftwaffe jet ace Oberleutnant Franz Stigler of JV44 the mythical Galland Circus and of JG-27 of North Afrika fame. Over the course of the hostilities, Stigler flew over 500 combat missions, was shot down 17 times, had 28 confirmed kills to his credit including 11 four engine bombers plus over 30 other probable.
B&W/Color, 52 minutes.
See also Messerschmitt Me-262: The Official Pilot Check-Out Film: Special Video/Autograph Offer.
http://www.ihffilm.com/ihf/dvd057.html
I've seen a lot of excerpts from this film in various documentaries.
I'm trying to find this film with NO SUBTITLES...subtitles are ok for foreign feature films..but not stuff like this..lol.
Yes, that is fantastic. I would, however, prefer the F-86 Sabre. That would be a hotrod.
Hope they bring it to Oskkosh for EAA.