Messerschmitt Me 263 (Junkers Ju 248)
Nazi Germany (1945)
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Just three in-development prototypes were all that was had of the Me 263 rocket-powered interceptor project - the successor to the revolutionary Me 163 Komet rocket plane.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Messerschmitt Me 263 (Junkers Ju 248) Rocket-Powered, Single-Seat Interceptor Prototype. Entry last updated on 5/15/2018. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com
Taking the strengths of the Me 163, and implementing a new fuselage design, was the next logical step in this Messerschmitt product. The work, to be based on the Me 163B production model, was charged to bomber-maker Junkers in late-summer 1944 under the designation of Ju 248 "Flunder" (Flounder) - this even while work was still being done by Messerschmitt on its Me 163C model.
Some qualities of the Me 163 were retained in the reworked Ju 248 such as the bubble canopy, the rearward-swept wing mainplanes and single-finned tail unit (sans horizontal stabilizers) but the aircraft was given larger dimensions which promoted more internal space - thus allowing engineers to install additional fuel stores and extend the operational range/fighting time of the interceptor. Unlike the Me 163's jettisonable wheeled dolly undercarriage, the Ju 248 featured a rather modern, wholly retractable, tricycle undercarriage which was proven in the Me 163B V18 prototype. The wing mainplanes were completed in wood (though with extra fuel storage built-in) and the cockpit was fully-pressurized for high-altitude flying envelope.
Internally, propulsion was proposed with a single Walter HWK 509C series rocket motor (bi-fueled) of 4,410lb of primary thrust and an additional 882lb of auxiliary thrust from two available chambers. Production-quality interceptors were to feature the BMW 109-708 series rocket motor instead, this promising more power. Fuel remained the volatile combination of "T-Stoff" and "C-Stoff".
Armament was to comprise 2 x 30mm MK 108 hard-hitting automatic cannons, these very capable in bringing down the large Allied bombers laying waste to German war-making facilities and infrastructure.
On September 25th of 1944, the aircraft was displayed to RLM officials in wooden mockup form and another review took place in December of that year. Before the end of the year, the original Ju 248 designation was succeeded by the revised Me 263 "Scholle" (Plaice) designation - despite Junkers still heading design and development of the project. Me 263 V1 was to serve as the first-of-three prototypes during development (V1, V2 and V3).
With so much working against Germany heading into 1945, leadership was mixed on the potential benefits of the Me 263 program with some championing the effort and others calling for its cancellation. Nevertheless, an unpowered first-flight was had by V1 in February of that year as it was towed into the skies. The aircraft lacked its engine and armament and its tricycle undercarriage was of basic form, fixed in place for simplicity. Overall, the design proved sound though counterbalancing was forced when the aircraft proved to have inherent center-of-gravity-issues.
Testing was then disrupted due to lack of fuel for the tow planes and, it was found in post-construction, V1 and V2's fuselages were ill-equipped to take on the intended HWK 509C rocket motor. This forced a lengthening of the fuselage as a result. V1, V2 and V3 were all progressing at different points in the project when, in April 1944, Allied forces overran and confiscated the Me 263 work. V2 never received its completely retracting undercarriage and V3 was never to prove the cannon armament. Both V1 and V2 had just gotten their motors installed but neither were able to ignite these in testing. The Americans studied the Me 263 progress at length back in the states while the Soviets benefitted from dissection of one of the prototypes - this leading to development of the homegrown Mikoyan-Gurevich I-270 interceptor prototype of which two were built in the post-war period.
Performance estimates of the Me 263 V1 interceptor included an impressive maximum speed of 550 miles per hour, an operating service ceiling of 45,215 feet (necessitating the pressurized cockpit and oxygen supply for the pilot) and a excellent rate-of-climb of 29,500 feet-per-minute.
On September 25th of 1944, the aircraft was displayed to RLM officials in wooden mockup form and another review took place in December of that year. Before the end of the year, the original Ju 248 designation was succeeded by the revised Me 263 "Scholle" (Plaice) designation - despite Junkers still heading design and development of the project. Me 263 V1 was to serve as the first-of-three prototypes during development (V1, V2 and V3).
With so much working against Germany heading into 1945, leadership was mixed on the potential benefits of the Me 263 program with some championing the effort and others calling for its cancellation. Nevertheless, an unpowered first-flight was had by V1 in February of that year as it was towed into the skies. The aircraft lacked its engine and armament and its tricycle undercarriage was of basic form, fixed in place for simplicity. Overall, the design proved sound though counterbalancing was forced when the aircraft proved to have inherent center-of-gravity-issues.
Testing was then disrupted due to lack of fuel for the tow planes and, it was found in post-construction, V1 and V2's fuselages were ill-equipped to take on the intended HWK 509C rocket motor. This forced a lengthening of the fuselage as a result. V1, V2 and V3 were all progressing at different points in the project when, in April 1944, Allied forces overran and confiscated the Me 263 work. V2 never received its completely retracting undercarriage and V3 was never to prove the cannon armament. Both V1 and V2 had just gotten their motors installed but neither were able to ignite these in testing. The Americans studied the Me 263 progress at length back in the states while the Soviets benefitted from dissection of one of the prototypes - this leading to development of the homegrown Mikoyan-Gurevich I-270 interceptor prototype of which two were built in the post-war period.
Performance estimates of the Me 263 V1 interceptor included an impressive maximum speed of 550 miles per hour, an operating service ceiling of 45,215 feet (necessitating the pressurized cockpit and oxygen supply for the pilot) and a excellent rate-of-climb of 29,500 feet-per-minute.
General Assessment (BETA)
Firepower
Performance
Survivability
Versatility
Impact
Rating: 44 (of 100)
The rating is an internal assessment derived from forty factors pertaining to this entry.
The rating is an internal assessment derived from forty factors pertaining to this entry.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 750mph
Lo: 375mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (547mph).
Graph average of 562.5 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Messerschmitt Me 263 V1's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
3
3
* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.
** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.
Altitude Visualization
Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool
Supported Mission Types:
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Origin: Nazi Germany
Year: 1945
Type: Rocket-Powered, Single-Seat Interceptor Prototype
Manufacturer(s): Junkers-Werke / Messerschmitt - Nazi Germany
Production: 3
Status: Cancelled
Global Operators:
Nazi Germany (cancelled)
Nazi Germany (cancelled)
Historical Commitments / Honors:
* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Messerschmitt Me 263 V1 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Operational
CREW
Personnel
1
Dimension
LENGTH
Feet
25.69 ft
Meters
7.83 m
Dimension
WIDTH
Feet
31.17 ft
Meters
9.5 m
Dimension
HEIGHT
Feet
10.40 ft
Meters
3.17 m
Weight
EMPTY
Pounds
4,641 lb
Kilograms
2,105 kg
Weight
LOADED
Pounds
11,354 lb
Kilograms
5,150 kg
1 x Walter HWK 509C bi-fuel rocket motor (BMW 109-107 series unit planned for production models) developing 4,410lb of primary thrust and 882lb of auxiliary thrust.
Performance
SPEED
Miles-per-Hour
547 mph
Kilometers-per-Hour
880 kph
Knots
475 kts
Performance
RANGE
Miles
40 mi
Kilometers
65 km
Nautical Miles
35 nm
Performance
CEILING
Feet
45,932 ft
Meters
14,000 m
Miles
8.70 mi
Performance
CLIMB RATE
Feet-per-Minute
29,500 ft/min
Meters-per-Minute
8,992 m/min
Supported Weapon Systems:
Armament - Hardpoints (0):
PROPOSED:
2 x 30mm MK 108 automatic cannons (never installed).
PROPOSED:
2 x 30mm MK 108 automatic cannons (never installed).
Variants:
Series Model Variants
• Me 263 (Scholle) - Base Series Designation; revised project designation.
• M2 263 V1 - Initial prototype; flown in glider form only.
• Me 263 V2 - Second prototype; to feature retractable tricycle undercarriage.
• Me 263 V3 - Third prototpe; to feature 2 x 30mm armament fit for testing.
• Ju 248 (Flunder) - Original designation by Junkers Aircraft.
• Me 263 (Scholle) - Base Series Designation; revised project designation.
• M2 263 V1 - Initial prototype; flown in glider form only.
• Me 263 V2 - Second prototype; to feature retractable tricycle undercarriage.
• Me 263 V3 - Third prototpe; to feature 2 x 30mm armament fit for testing.
• Ju 248 (Flunder) - Original designation by Junkers Aircraft.