[Richard T. Eger]

Dear All,

David's photo appears to be the very first photo to be found of what remained of the Me 262 HG II, W.Nr. 111538, at Lechfeld. Manfred Boehme and I have heavily researched this aircraft and David and I discussed the photo privately last night.

It is the wing, specifically, that appears to be that of W.Nr. 111538. I can't really speak to the rest of the parts in the photo.

The HG II wing did not have a leading edge slat inboard of the engines, apparent in the photo. A bit unexpected by me is the additional leading edge sweep back in this area, although I can't say that I am surprised. The wing tip is also tapered, which was a part of the design of the HG II.

The designers wanted to build a second wing, this one with inboard slats, but the first wing did not have them. It is very doubtful if it was ever built.

According to David, the photo, taken at Lechfeld, was dated 1946. It is somewhat hard for me to believe that the USAAF didn't realize what they had and bring it back to the U.S.

Germany's swept wing research was considered an aerodynamic breakthrough, but only 2 U.S. companies used the information to change the design of aircraft already being designed. Boeing altered the design of the B-47 from straight wing to swept wing and became the predominant supplier of bomber aircraft for the USAF. North American was working on the XP-86 and elected to also change the aircraft from straight to swept wing design. North American was very interested in the leading edge slats of the Me 262 and requested and received an Me 262 wing from the Air Force. North American either lifted the slat mechanism design from this wing or actually used the mechanisms from the wing. Either way, having the mechanisms from the HG II wing would have been an even better fit. I have no record of which Me 262 wing was supplied to North American.

Regards,
Richard