ME-262 & P-51 jets

[researcher111]

A question regarding the ME-262 front boom, is this a pitot tube
an early model of aerial refuelling system or aerial gun ? As into the P-51
was this a testbed for German jet engines ? As into the HE-132 is this
a refuelling probe or just a top maintainance panel being serviced ?

[Dan O'Connell]

#1 50 mm cannon
#2 "V-1 type" engines tested
#3 He 162

[Broncazonk]

As far as I know, only one (1) Me 262A-1a/U4 was converted to carry the BK 5 (50 mm auto-loading cannon,) and that was (and is) the one pictured.

More here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BK_5_cannon

In my opinion, installing 3 Mk-103 30 mm cannon in the nose would have been even more lethal.

The He 162 is having it's Lorenz 70 watt FuG 10ZY loop aerial looked at. Fitted on a teardrop shaped fairing, it was standard equipment on most fighter aircraft from late 1943 on.

Bronc

[researcher111]

Thanks for your feedback

[Kutscha]

P-51: Aren't they Ford PJ-31s that powered the JB-2 Loon?

Bronc, that is the 2cd a/c so fitted, WNr 170083. WNr 111899 was the 1st.

[Tony Kambic]

The Me262 with the 50mm cannon was destroyed on June 30, 1945 when an engine failed on a transfer flight to Cherborg. Col. Watson chose it as 'his' 262 to fly, but was entertaining VIPs that day and so had German test pilot Willie Hoffman fly it when he encountered catastrophic engine failure and had to bail out.

The cannon was recovered and is on exhibit at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

[researcher111]

Tony , thanks very much on this. Any idea on why the AAC would want to testbed
the V-1 as twin engined option ?

[Kutscha]

The Ford engine is smaller than the V-1 engine. Planes of Fame has a running example.

The P-51 was also tested with a ram jet on each wing tip.

[researcher111]

Thanks for all details and interesting updates , Cheers

[Stig Jarlevik]

The P-51D with the ramjets at its wingtips is pretty well known (44-63528).

Can anyone confirm if the same aircraft was used to test the ramjets below the wings?

Cheers
Stig