Page 311 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

309

◀ MESSERSCHMITT ME 262
SCHWALBE
Date 1944 Origin Germany
1
Wingspan 41 ⁄2ft (12.6m)
3
Length 34 ⁄4ft (10.6m)
Top speed 540mph (870kph) FIGHTER AND
Engine Twin 1,985lb (900kg)
Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojets
Tailplane
mounted high, The first turbojet-powered combat
out of jet exhaust fighter, the Me 262 quickly proved Large wings needed for Four 20mm cannon
effective against the US Air Force’s heavy aircraft (16 tons) in belly nacelle ▲ NORTHROP P-61
daylight bombing campaign, but it BLACK WIDOW
was produced too late to affect the Date 1944 Origin US
outcome of the war.
Wingspan 66ft (21.1m)
1
Length 49 ⁄2ft (15.1m)
Top speed 365mph (590kph)
Engine Twin 2,250hp (1,677.8kW)
One 30mm cannon ◀ MESSERSCHMITT Pratt & Whitney R-2800-65W
in each wing-root ME 163 KOMET
Double Wasp radials
Date 1944 Origin Germany
1
Swept-back Wingspan 30 ⁄2ft (9.33m) The P-61 was the first US aircraft
designed as a night-fighter, and was the
wing form Length 18¾ft (5.7m) first aircraft specifically designed to FIGHTER-BOMBER AIRCRAFT
Top speed 600mph (960kph) carry radar for this purpose. It was
Engine 3,750lb (1,700kg) Walter capable of “loitering” in the skies for
HWK 109-509A-2 liquid-fuel rocket up to eight hours at a time.
The only rocket-powered aircraft to
see active service, the Me 163 relied
on its ability to overtake high-altitude
bombers and to make one diving pass
Landing skid; wheels were Two machine-guns mounted before its engine cut out.
dropped on takeoff above the engine to fire 20mm cannon
through the propeller’s arc fired through
propeller boss
Pilot sat in
armored tub 1943–1945

▲ YAKOVLEV YAK-3 Offering high performance and
Date 1944 Origin Soviet Union yet easy to maintain, the Yak-3 was
a favorite with ground-crew and
Wingspan 30 ⁄4ft (9.2m) pilots alike. Many pilots who flew
1
Length 28ft (8.5m) the Mustang, the Spitfire, and the
Top speed 410mph (655kph) Yak-3 regarded the Yak as the
superior aircraft.
Engine 1,300hp (969.4kW)
Klimov VK-105PF-2 V-12
Two 30mm
cannon housed
in wing roots
Two 0.5in machine-guns
mounted above engine
Air intake “Spats” improved
aerodynamic performance
with wheels retracted
13mm-thick armored
plate behind pilot’s seat

▶ KAWASAKI KI-100 Influenced by the German Focke-
Date 1945 Origin Japan Wulf Fw 190, the Ki-100 was
one of the best fighter aircraft
1
Wingspan 39 ⁄4ft (12m) the Japanese air force deployed
Length 29ft (8.8m) during World War II—highly
Top speed 360mph (580kph) maneuverable and with a high
altitude capacity. However, it came Air intake
Engine 1,500hp (1,118.5kW)
Mitsubishi Ha 112-II radial too late to make any difference Stressed aluminum
to the outcome of the war.
fuselage