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ZL1AJG > AERO 22.12.04 19:35l 59 Lines 2340 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 191000ZL1AJG
Read: GUEST
Subj: Re: NASA B52 retired after 50yrs
Path: DB0FHN<DB0MRW<OK0PKL<OK0PPL<DB0RES<ON0AR<7M3TJZ<ZL2BAU<ZL1UX
Sent: 041222/0205Z @:ZL1UX.#20.NZL.OC #:27669 [Hamilton] FBB7.00i $:191000ZL1AJ
From: ZL1AJG@ZL1UX.#20.NZL.OC
To : AERO@WW
>
> Since they did a programme about it on TV. I have been left wondering why,
> when they had an aeroplane that went 150mph faster than a Spitfire and had
> 100 miles more range as far back as 1942 when a few squadrons wqent kicking
> 7 bells out of Spitfires and B17s, they didn't go"Oh. that IS good
> aeroplane, lets make a thousand more."
Politics of war, basically. The result would hnave been different had the
262 been put into production as a fighter/interceptor. But, apparently, it
was decided by the poewr that be (i.e, A.H) that they were to be used in a
bomber capacity. It seemed that they would have been vulnerable with a
payloda. I'm not certain of the rationale for the bomber role, I suppose
it was to gett them in & out faster. However, if they had remained as a
fighter as originally designed, then the outcome of the hostilities would
have been another matter. It would have sped up the development of the
Whittle project, i'm sure.
Incidentally, the prototypes were originally a "taildragger. and with
different engins. I think the production was Junkers Jumo's; the
prototypes were Heinkel?
I stil think that the shape is still one of the most slippery
(aerodynamic) designs around. Very similar to a shark shaoe, and we all
know how these can move in water. (Dolphin I believe has least turbulence
developed when swimming.)
> Even after hostilities had ended, the French airforce just left the Me 262
> to rust. Instaed, they rebuilt their Air Force with captured Focke Wulf
190's, a very good aeroplane
but not a jet.
I suspect that the reason was lack of familiarity with the newer
propulsion technology; stick with what works well & the FW190 definitely
did that! Similar reason IMHO, for the development of the "Spiteful" from
the Spitfire; and the Sea Fury, from the "Tempest".
> That Me 262 wasn't there back in 1960 when I last visited the museum. I
> wonder where they got it from?
>
> Thanks Jeff. I believe they have a Wright Flyer (or repro) in the
> Smithsonian as well.
>
> 73. IanTEZ.
>
Cheers/73
- Allen, ZL1AJG @ ZL1UX
Cambridge, N.Z. RF72RC
Message timed: 15:02 on 22 Dec 04, using WinPack-AGW V6.80,
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