Me-262 flies at German air-expo.

Stormbirds.com ^ | 5-22-06 | Stormbirds.com

[yooling]

Here's a pretty cool video of one of the reproduction 262's flying at a German air show.

stormbirds.com ...

[raygun]

Even so they're using the J-85, the details are otherwise authentic, including implementation of a pull cord used by ground crews on the original fighter to start a lawn-mower-size gasoline engine that powered up the main jet engine.

During the interview at the beginning of the video, the guy being interviewed is saying that in principle the modern engines are identical to the original engines, except for the modern engines have a larger intake orfice, and incorporation of what is literally translated "blower". I'm guessing this means "compressor". My understanding that the original Me-262 engine was a axial-flow turbo-jet so I'm inferring from what he's saying is that the J-85 has additional compressor stages that were not part of the original engine design.

Due to the J-85's increased breathing capability and the additional compressor capability, thanks to physics, the gases flowing through the turbine are not only slower but cooler, and as a result quieter operation. Some people say the modern engines are quiet, and that is a forgivable error, they're actually not as loud. Not only are they quieter thoug, but more power is available at take-off and landing as well as being quieter. Its good that this goes both ways, in that way the one is as happy as the other.

During takeoff the commentator states that its clear the jet uses everything from the original principles, including the takeoff noise. Although they admit that in the studio they're not getting the full experience (a lot of laughing to that). The female commentator says the on-site sound must've been much louder. Commentary goes on to say that during WWII beloved Me-262 was very delicate (even so it was more advanced and faster than any other piston powered plane). The takeoff roll was historicaly authentic, not spontaneous ad lib by the pilot, but precisely scripted according to historical anecdotal documentation.

The commentator questions the reporter at the field about the true noise level, to which he replies that what was heard in the field merely touches on what the real power houses put out, as will soon be experienced with the takeoff of the Mig-29. He goes on to say that its impossible to say how many people are present, based on ticket sales so far about 20,000 to 30,000 people so far, but people continue to stream in, and continue to steam in and still continue to steam in. He's saying everybody is there for the highlight of the big show: the A380.

Then he says he's got to raise his voice because it truly is getting loud: the Mig-29 is testing its engines. He says that when the jet takes off, and goes vertical with full power, the spectators are going to have to plug their ears (it'll be that loud). He says it'll probably be best to put the photo and video cameras onto automatic, otherwise one's ears will be ringing for a couple two three hours without ear protection.

While the jet's sitting ready, its asked what's so special about the plane that other planes can't match in performance: vectorable exhaust nozzles giving a capability of zero velocity turns. The only thing that can touch it is the American F-22. Moreover, this appearance of an Mig-29 at the airshow is the premiere appearance of a Mig-29 in Europe (previouly it has only been displayed for the public at airshows in Russia, Moscow for example).

[raygun]

ping

[Hoplite]

My granddad flew the FW 190-D9 during the last days of the war.

Not the healthiest of professions.

Though better than a U-boat crewman, and certainly it afforded a better view.

[Atlantic Bridge]

The stormbirds are marvelous! And their new 109-project is wonderful too.

I think the problem with the restauration of the Me 109s are the motors. Those Daimler-Benz engines they found with the leftover of the planes somewere in Russia are junk. It will be impossible to restore them again. Therefore they have to look for other suitable Daimler motors which is quite a problem in the meantime :-). Other motors like a Rolls Royce Kestrels do not have hanging pistons. That means that the aerodynamic (and the look) of such a 109 is comletely different then. This is the reason that there are only that little flying Me 109s left. My uncle and his buddies had the luck that one of their friends preserved a brand new (!) DB 605 motor, which was not scrapped after the war. Their 109 was once used in the famous film "the battle of England" with a Royce Royce Kestrel, which gave the plane a really awful look then. When my uncle and his friends found the badly damaged cell of the aircraft in the mid-90ties they would not have restored it if they didn't have had a motor then.

The Focke-Wulf is easier to restore since there are quite simular motors to the BMW 801 available.

Unfortunately the "red 7" of my uncle and his friends had a crash-landing last summer. Thank God no really important parts (like the motor :-)) were damaged then and the plane is restored in the moment. Even the pilot survived (although he was nearly crucified after the landing as you can imagine). Anyway it will still take some time and a huge amount of money. We are not talking about peanuts here.

[Atlantic Bridge]

Not the healthiest of professions.

Since he was a well trained professional (and experienced) pilot of the Luftwaffe since 1934 he managed to survive this useless war. He served as a flight instructor until the late stages of the war until they started to use those important multipliers for defending the scattered German cities. Therefore he had the chance to fly with nearly everything of the Luftwaffe inventory (except the jets).

[CORedneck]

Don't forget Clinton with Loral Executives selling navigation/guidance technology to China which we are starting to pay the price for now.

There has been a lot of that.

Lyndon Johnson authorized the sale of precision miniature ball bearing grinding machines to Russia, and the resulting improvement in their ICBM targeting cost us billions to harden our silos.

Jimmy Carter authorized the sale of precision machine tools for making submarine propellers. That cost us billions to regain the ability to track the quieter Russian Subs.

I am sure there are more examples.

[Hoplite]

Since 1934?

I wonder if he's responsible for any of those 20mm casings my Dad used to collect with his friends in Croydon before being carted off to the countryside.

He relate any worthy "There I was" anecdotes?

[nicollo]

he managed to survive this useless war.

Well said, and, I would add, that "stupid" war.

It did not have to be, and its consequences in the empowerment of socialism are yet to be overcome. Just damn.

[tophat9000]

The engines are modern GE ones. From the outside they have facades covering them so that they appear to be original Junkers or BMW, I forget which

The modern GE ones are J85's same as the T38 and F5 but derated (to much power) the original were Junkers Jumo 004

[tophat9000]

Rolls Royce Kestrels do not have hanging pistons.

I thing you mean Rolls Royce Merlin the only Rolls Royce Kestrels to fly in a 109 was in the very first prototype because the intended German engine the then new Junkers Jumo 210 was not ready for the first flights

The Germen water cooled V12engines, Junkers Jumo 210,211,213 & Daimler-Benz DB601,605,603 were inverted vee crankcase on top, cylinder heads on bottom ...while the US and Brits water cooled V12 were "upright" vees...

The post war Spanish, built 109 airframes as Ha1112 with Rolls Royce Merlin... these were what was used in the Battle of Britain movie

Interesting 109 trivia is that a version of the 109 (post war Czech Republic build Avia S-199 using a germen water cooled V12 Junkers Jumo 211 engine) was the first Israeli Air Force fighter aircraft

[IonImplantGuru]

AUSGESEICHNET!

Bless you!

[zot]

Thanks for the ping. A really beautiful bird.

[zot]

Howard Ellsworth
By Don Vaught
12/1/2004

Capt. Howard Ellsworth, U.S. Army Air Corps, 1944.

I had just dropped a load of napalm on a rail yard east of Aachen, Germany, when antiaircraft fire struck the left engine of my P-38, forcing me to bail out. I landed safely but was taken prisoner by German soldiers and marched to a small airfield called Sohie Bslad. I was interrogated, then put to work filling the craters made by Allied bombers.

On Dec. 26, my fifth day of captivity, a group of German Me-262s landed just as Allied B-17s began bombing. A German pilot leaped from his cockpit and sprinted for cover, leaving his plane running. Quickly I climbed in and pushed the throttles full open. The engines began to scream and the plane accelerated as guards shot at me. I lifted the plane off the ground but kept it low to avoid fire.

I couldn’t read the instruments or raise the landing gear, and the canopy, which was open when I got in, had torn away. Luckily, the compass was readable, and I soon crossed into friendly territory. Almost immediately I came under heavy fire. I closed the throttles and landed on a small hillside.

I was greeted by an Army truck filled with troops. The second lieutenant advised me I was under arrest for impersonating an American pilot. Several soldiers suggested I immediately be shot as a spy. I quickly explained my situation, asked to use the phone, and called the 474th Fighter Group Operations. Eventually, I was retrieved and returned to base. After being debriefed about the German jet, I returned to my squadron on the evening of Dec. 31.

— Ellsworth lives in Alexandria, Va.

Source: Military Officer Magazine, December 2004, "Christmas In Combat" by Don Vaughan

Extract for discussion, in accordance with fair use provisions.

Howard Ellsworth was the first American to fly an ME-262.

[zot]

The J-85 was also used on C-123K aircraft in Vietnam. It was a four-engined assault transport, two R-2800 recips and two J-85's outboard for short-field takeoffs.

[rlmorel]

WOW! That is one hell of a story! Much more dramatic even than Hoover's escape!

[Hardastarboard]

Dude! Talk about knowing your obscure tunes. I went to allofmp3.com, and found 3 versions of that song.

[Thunder 6]

bump!

[johnny7]

So were the Focke-Wulf Ta 152C's... one 30mm cannon flanked by a brace of 20mm's. Could leave a Mustang in the dust.

[DuncanWaring]

Lyndon Johnson authorized the sale of precision miniature ball bearing grinding machines to Russia...

I thought that was Richard Nixon. Brandt grinders, 1972.

Jimmy Carter authorized the sale of precision machine tools for making submarine propellers...

Not that I have any interest in defending the Peanut Farmer, but my recollection is that Toshiba did that on their own.

[Dan(9698)]

You are wrong on both counts.

I lived through those events, so you may have read some spin.