Messerschmitt Me 262 Me 262 C-1a

The Me 262C-1a, also called Heimatschützer I, was the first of the C-series interceptors, developed from the Interzeptor I proposal in the September 1943 report. Similar to the A-1a, it added a Walter HWK 109-509A-1 rocket engine in the tail to boost thrust for takeoff and climb. A single prototype was converted from an A-1a airframe, first flying under turbojet power on 16 October 1944 and under rocket power on 27 February 1945; flown by Major Heinrich Bär, it reportedly shot down a P-47 Thunderbolt. The internal rocket installation limited fuel available to the turbojets and made servicing difficult.