Page 27 - The Kellner Affair Sample Pages

CHAPTER 11: THE TURN Of THE SCREW
Storm Bird, where the latter was intended as a bomber. Progress was slow due to a combination of factors. Technical issues included vibration from the turbojet axial- ow engines, the need for ongoing re-designs of the aircraft due to their excess weight, as well as problems with alloys that were unable to withstand the intense heat that was generated. Political problems also retarded
development. In February 1940, Hermann Göring, Commander of the Luftwaffe, cut the Projekt 1065 engine development staff down to 35 engineers, as he believed that the war could be won quickly by conventional aircraft alone.
So while a prototype Me 262 aircraft had own with conventional piston-propeller engines in 1941, the rst successful Me 262 ight entirely on jet power did not take place until July 18, 1942. The rst armed Me 262 ew in December 1943, a year and a half later. Some months earlier, in mid-1943, Hitler had complicated matters further by insisting on prioritizing the Sturmvogel variant, as he felt that a high-speed bomber could penetrate Allied airspace during an anticipated Allied invasion of France. Albert Speer, who
The great Messerschmitt wind tunnel in Germany where the Me 262 was tested. Here a BF 109 E-3 in 1940. (Peter Larsen)
The Me 262 Sturmvogel variant that could carry two 250 kilo bombs or one 500 kilo bomb. (Peter Larsen)
Kellner-Béchereau was forced by the Nazis to make parts for the Me 262, and Figoni was sub-contracted. Was that collaboration? (Peter Larsen)
272