Messerschmitt Me 262 HG III in 1/48 scale
One of the more important projects based on the Messerschmitt Me 262 resulted from the efforts to increase the maximum speed, mainly by improving the airframe aerodynamic shape. Aircraft concepts known as the HG I, II and III were developed at the time. The HG III was the final stage and required several and radical modifications. It was to have a new 45° swept wing with engines housed in the wing roots. Compared with the others two stages, the undercarriage was also changed. All wheels were to retract into the fuselage. Tail was originally to be taken from the HG I, later to be replaced by a V-tail (or “butterfly” tail). The cockpit canopy remained the same as in the two first projects. It was calculated that the airplane would reach a speed 1,050 km/h near the ground, and 1,100 Km/h at an altitude of 6,000 m. Work on the HG III continued at a high rate, including wind tunnel testing of its model. |