Why The Messerschmitt Me 262 Was So Dangerous to Fly

Video from the channel TheUntoldPast about Messerschmitt Me 262, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 10:58. Language: English. Video type: Documentary.

An educational video explaining why the Messerschmitt Me 262, the first operational jet fighter, was dangerous for its own pilots despite its superiority in speed and climb.

Its Junkers Jumo 004 engines, among the first operational turbojets, were built with lower-quality alloys due to the shortage of nickel and chromium in a bombed Germany; many had to be replaced after 10 to 25 flight hours. They responded sluggishly to the throttle, and an abrupt movement could cause compressor stall or turbine overheating, something unfamiliar to pilots trained on the Bf 109 or Fw 190. Takeoff and landing were the critical phases: it needed long runways, losing an engine caused violent yaw, and a failed approach could not be corrected with immediate thrust. P-51 Mustangs and Spitfires patrolled near its bases, forcing the Luftwaffe to protect them with anti-aircraft guns and piston fighters. Added to this were the lack of fuel for training, a tricycle landing gear vulnerable on damaged runways, hydraulic failures, and spare-parts shortages.

According to the video it reached about 870 km/h, 150 to 200 km/h faster than any Allied piston fighter, and carried four 30 mm cannons and air-to-air rockets. It includes the testimony of Johannes Steinhoff, who doubted its effectiveness against turning fighters, and that of a US airman seeing it for the first time.