Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: mugs99
My uncle tried to catch one when he was flying P-51's during the war. Didn't know what in the hell it was, "but it sure was fast!"

The 2-engine ME-262 used Junkers Jumo 004B axial Turbojets with a thrust of 1,980lb. Its maximum speed was 870 km/h (461 mph) and a range of 1050 km (560 Mi). It used four 30 mm MK 108 cannons in the nose. Two cannons had 100 rounds and two were with 80 rounds (260 total). Rockets could also be loaded on the wings in later versions.

By comparison, The most common Mustang, the P-51D, powered by RR Merlin V-12 engine, had a max speed of 437 mph and a combat range of 950 mi (1,855 if equipped with drop tanks). Arnament was 6 .50 machineguns with 1880 rounds of ammo. It could carry 2 1,000# bombs or 10 rockets.

Yeah, the ME-262 was max 25 mph faster, but acceleration wasn't great on those early jets because they took a long time to spool up. Given that the Mustang has over 7 times the ammo, 2x or more the range - and was probably more maneuverable - I'm not so sure I wouldn't have rather been in the cockpit of a Mustang.

89 posted on 05/28/2005 5:09:53 PM PDT by IonImplantGuru (Give me heaven... or a 637!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies ]


To: IonImplantGuru

More like 540mph; is generally agreed upon as the max speed of the 262...am I mistaken?


91 posted on 05/28/2005 5:29:53 PM PDT by wolficatZ ( + ><))))*> + "..gone shark surfing..." ____\0/_____/|____)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies ]

To: IonImplantGuru

He was flying bomber escort at the time. He'd never seen one or even heard of them at the time. It came out of the sun and streaked past his wing...was up and away by the time he turned. Said it brought him wide awake real quick!
...


102 posted on 05/28/2005 10:38:41 PM PDT by mugs99
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies ]

To: IonImplantGuru

Your metric conversion is a little shaky.


122 posted on 05/29/2005 11:02:57 AM PDT by Nov3 ("This is the best election night in history." --DNC chair Terry McAuliffe Nov. 2,2004 8p.m.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies ]

To: IonImplantGuru

Mustangs actually got most of their 262's kills by loitering near airbases, then getting them as they took off (going slow) or were landing and had little room to manuever..

In mid-air/high alitudes, the 51's were slower. Couldn't get close enogh to get reliable hits.


129 posted on 05/29/2005 5:25:29 PM PDT by Robert A Cook PE (-I can only contribute to FR monthly, but Hillary's ABBCNNBCBS contributes to her campaign every day)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 89 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson