Me 262 E-2

[von_noobie]

Can anybody give me anything on this proposed version of the Me 262..I know it was ment to be armed with 48 R4M's but thats all i know...

[bf109 emil]

An elite unit, "JV-44", was formed up under Adolf Galland, and racked up a number of kills before hostilities ended. Many of these kills were achieved with the new R4M 55 millimeter (2.2 inch) folding fin rockets. An Me-262 could carry a total of 24 such weapons on wooden racks, one under each wing, and if fired into a bomber formation the rockets could have a devastating effect on anything they hit. Schwalbes configured to carry the R4M were given the designation "Me-262A-1b".

http://www.vectorsite.net/avme262.html#m4

[phylo_roadking]

From "Jet Planes of the Third Reich" vol.1 Manfred Griehl -

As for Me262 designations, Me262D-1 was alternate designation of the '262 C-2b, '262 E-1 alternate designation for '262A-1a/U4 (50mm cannon), and '262E-2 was to have RA55 automatic rocket dispensers, loaded with R4M rockets.

[bf109 emil]

aw i see where i faulted as i was looking at planes actually flown as opposed to intended that never came to being...thanks Phylo!

[Cantankerous]

From "Jet Planes of the Third Reich" vol.1 Manfred Griehl -

As for Me262 designations, Me262D-1 was alternate designation of the '262 C-2b, '262 E-1 alternate designation for '262A-1a/U4 (50mm cannon), and '262E-2 was to have RA55 automatic rocket dispensers, loaded with R4M rockets.

The book Messerschmitt Me 262: Development and Politics by Dan Sharp independently confirms Me 262D-1 as the initial designation for the Me 262C-2b, but there is no official record whatsoever of the Me 262A-1a/U4 and the Me 262 modified to carry R4M unguided rockets being designated "Me 262E".