Messerschmitt P1101

Messerschmitt P1101

A starboard side ground view of the little swept wing jet test aircraft.

One b/w photograph on an album page

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PThomasAF20080017

[Photograph]

Messerschmitt P1101.
Appreciating the advantages of swept wings in mitigating the onset of compressibility problems at transonic speeds, Messerschmitt started work early in 1944 on a prototype for the evaluation of optimum sweep angles. Construction of the P1101 began in July 1944 on the basis of an all metal pod & boom fuselage, intending to accommodate the 2866 lb 1300kg thrust Heinkel-Hirth 109-011A turbojet. A retractable tricycle undercarriage, & metal sparred wooden wings whose sweep angle could be altered to the ground by 35 & 45 degrees. Late in 1944, the Luftwaffe announced an emergency programme for an interceptor able to operate effectively at 46000 feet. Nine proposals were received & the version from Messerschmitt included a modified P1101 with a wing swept at 40 degrees. The prototype was about four-fifths complete when it was captured by the American Army & transferred to the United States. The aeroplane was never flown, but formed the basis of the Bell X-5 variable geometry research type.