me263

Me 263

Usage	Single seat target-defense rocket interceptor
Status	Flight test
Powerplant	One Walter HWK 109-509C rocket motor, 2,000 kg thrust
Span	9.50 m
Length	7.95 m
Wing Area	17.80 m²
Aspect Ratio	5.07
Maximum Weight	5,305 kg
Wing loading	298.03 kg/m²
Maximum speed	1,000 km/hr @ 3,000-11,000 m
Range	145 km @ 6,300 m
Endurance	13.2 minutes powered flight
Armament	Two MK 108 30mm cannon

Known at one point as the Ju 248, the Me 263 was a Junkers development of the Me 163B and C rocket propelled interceptors. It had a much slimmer fuselage of semi-monocoque construction and built in three main sections. A pressurized cockpit with armor protection for the pilot was riveted to the main fuselage section, while the rear portion was detachable to facilitate easy inspection and maintenance of the HWK 109-509C rocket motor.

As Me 163 development proceeded it became clear that the landing and stability problems could not be easily eradicated from the type in its existing form. Consequently, early in 1944 design work started on a radically improved version known initially as the Me 163D. At an early stage the work was handed over to Junkers, and the result, finally designated Me 263, was an interceptor which went some way towards eliminating the Me 163's landing and endurance problems. There was provision for more fuel and a retractable tricycle undercarriage, though the wings and fin were similar to those of the Me 163B.

During the initial unpowered trials the undercarriage was kept in the fixed position, and while the Me 263 proved to be much safer than the Komet at lower speeds, the center of pressure moved back rapidly at speeds above Mach 0.8 and it could not be flown safely at speeds above 590 mph (950 km/hr).

The rocket motor had an auxiliary combustion chamber mounted below the main unit to give a more economical cruise. The C-Stoff and T-Stoff fuel tanks were emptied in flight in a prearranged order to minimize center-of-gravity variations.

The Me 263