Hitler has been blamed for it's late entry into service, but the time scale matches that of the Gloster Meteor, and analysts think a more likely cause for delay was Germany's inability to produce servicable jet-engines. The first entered Luftwaffe service towards the end of 1944. Many varients were built in a short time, including regular fighter (Schwalbe/Swallow), bad-weather fighter with extra guns, bomber, 2-seat bomber, and reconaisance. The airframe suffered mechanical problems with sticky landing gear it had been originally designed with a wheel beneath it's tail as seen on earlier prop-planes. Having the mountings designed as an afterthought, for an already finished airframe, has been cited as a possible cause of premature engine fatigue. ME-262 airframes were finished by 1942, but the BMW and Jumo powerplants were delayed until 1944. Like the Meteor, ME-262 development sprung from pre-war experiments with jet technology and the British E.28/39. Meteors were also used to test ejecting seats. Other nations continued to operate them twenty or more years after that.
#Airshot vs schwalbe series#
Rolls-Royce Welland turbojets (2,000lbs thrust)ĭesign varients continued to Mk.17, and the series remained in service with the RAF until the 1950s. The first squadron of RAF Gloster Meteor F.III was formed in 1944. Gloster Meteor Mk.1 did enter service and is probably the model that famously engaged an unmanned flying bomb. Other jet engines used in Meteors were De'Havilland, and Rolls-Royce Derwent.
The best was arguably inventor Frank Whittle's W2/700 turbojet (2,485lbs thrust), but they did not enter mass production and Rolls-Royce Welland (1,700lbs thrust) were used instead. Several powerplants were used to power early models.
The first of those to be designated Meteor flew in March 1943. By July 1942, they had built several working Gloster G.41 prototypes. Gloster were charged with developing a jet fighter from the succesful pre-war E.28/39 experimental jet. The ability to fly fast - in a straight line - makes the ME-262 sound quite vulnerable in a dogfight. However, yesterday, I was told that ME-262 lacked maneuverability and were easilly shot down by RAF Spitfires or Hurricanes. I was always led to believe the ME-262 was superior, because it flew faster.
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