Question about Me 262 9K+FH

[Roger Gaemperle]

Hello,

The whole Jabo story is quite confusing as it underwent so many changes (even the names: Schnellstkaemper, Blitzbomber, Jabo, Schnellstbomber, etc.). Here is what I can tell without checking my documents at home for more detailed information:

As in summer 1944 the landing gear was still far from perfect and could not carry both the 4 MK108 and the bomb equipment (the main problem was the landing impact stress on the landing gear, so the weight of the bomb themselves were not the main problem...). Therefore, the upper 2 Mk108 were removed as well as part of the armor (forward cockpit armor) and only delivered as Ruestsaetze, so that later these Me 262 could be converted into fighters again.

When the first Me 262 A-2 became operational, soon an additional tank was requested to increase the range (which was only 100km at that time, which was too little due to enemy fighter bomber activities near the front). Hence, soon a 600 liter auxiliary tank behind the rear main tank was installed (a 200 liter tank in front of the forward main tank was already installed from the 41. Me 262).

Although the range was increased by this measure, the landing gear could not carry the full additional weight and first it was required that the auxiliary tank was not filled with more than 400 liters. In addition, there were center of gravity problems after releasing the bombs: the removal of 2 MK108 in the nose and the addition of a rear auxiliary tank moved the COG dangerously rearwards after releasing the bombs. Therefore, quite complex tank switching procedures had to be followed before releasing the bomb.

Meanwhile, Messerschmitt and Opel (the main landing gear manufacturer) improved the landing gear with certain measures (strenghtened tires with new profile, reduced oil pressure, and at the very end of the war double guides instead of a single guide) which increased the allowed landing weight from 5300 to 5700 kg, which was sufficient for the fighter bomber with start weight of 7100 kg. Therefore, it was no longer necessary to remove the upper 2 MK108.

Therefore, the fighter variant and the fighter bomber variant from approx. Jan. 1945 onwards were virtually the same. All the equipment necessary for loading and releasing bombs was installed also in the figher variants. So, all you had to do is to attach the ETC and the bombs, which could be obtained as a Ruestsatz. The ETC had to be adjusted for each Me 262 individually and couldn't be used for another Me 262. That's the reason why you can sometimes find the Werknummer painted on the ETC.

It was initially planned to use a special gunsight for bomb aiming in the A-2 but apart from perhaps the Revi 16D (which was basically a standard Revi 16B but with adjustable reflector plate to move the reticle downwards for different trajectories) none was installed in searial production Me 262.

The Australian Me 262 doesn't have a significant difference either compared to a fighter variant although it was used as a fighter bomber.

I hope that answers your question and adds a bit to the other explanations.

Regards,
Roger Gaemperle