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Considering that Hitler ordered it as a fighter-bomber first and that several units actually used it in that role, there is historical precedent.Most WWII era fighter bombers lacked proper bomb sights which made for poor bombing accuracy. Make the fighter aircraft faster and accuracy will be even worse. Area weapons such as cluster bombs and napalm are about all it would be good for.
BTW, who in his right mind would waste Me-262s in this role when American heavy bombers were more numerous then stars in the sky?
I wonder.
Having seen footage of the density of allied shipping on D-day, perhaps the idea of a very fast (for its day) fighter bomber, to pierce the fighter defensive screens, attacking with the 500kg bomb he (Hitler) is said to have demanded, might have had merit, even with the inherent inaccuracies?
Given they got them to carry 2x500kg bombs then 2x500kg bombs might be even more useful to Germany on that day?
I know range and I expect moving such new high tech to French fields would have been a major hurdle for various reasons (not forgetting the battering German facilities got in France prior to D-day).
But everything I've seen to date says the Me262 as a fighter bomber was a dire flop....even the dedicated Ar234 bomber was hardly a shining success (although a superb reconnaissance platform, by all accounts)....all of which is not really much of a surprise considering the environment they were supposed to operate in.
Most WWII era fighter bombers lacked proper bomb sights which made for poor bombing accuracy. Make the fighter aircraft faster and accuracy will be even worse. Area weapons such as cluster bombs and napalm are about all it would be good for.
I read once that bombing with the revi for aiming you need a shallow dive. This was not possible with the Me 262 because you will get too fast and you'll above the stress limits of the plane.
Me 262s carried out attacks on British forward bases in late 1944 carrying anti personnel bombs, which although did only marginal damage, still made holes in the runways, injured people and put aircraft out of action. The consensus was that the British had no defence apart from firing wildly in their direction with AA as they flew over. By the time any aircraft got airborne the '262s were long gone. The attacks were demoralising as little could be done to prevent them. Radar installations around a few of the fields were able to detect the 262s because of their high speeds and if they were spotted, Tempests were sent up to meet them, often in vain as the 262s had sped away.
One thing I've read is that the 262's lack of suitable armament for the GA role was a big hindrance, its Mk 108 cannon were too slow firing to be real effective and the bombs used were not big enough to do anything but light damage.
No, a shallow dive would be no problem at all. Diving 45 degrees at full power is another issue.I read once that bombing with the revi for aiming you need a shallow dive. This was not possible with the Me 262 because you will get too fast and you'll above the stress limits of the plane.
No, a shallow dive would be no problem at all. Diving 45 degrees at full power is another issue.
Kris
don't forget there is no prop which works as dive brake and the heavy bomb load can accelerate the plane even at low throttle beyond the limits during a flat dive.
cimmex