Messerschmitt Me 509

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Me 509
Me 509 (model picture)
Model of the Me 509
Type: Fighter plane
Design country:

German Reich NSGerman Reich (Nazi era) German Empire

Manufacturer:

Messerschmitt

The Messerschmitt Me 509 was a fighter aircraft project based on the Me 309 during World War II . For example, the landing gear and tail unit were taken over from the 309. In contrast to the 309, the engine was not in the bow, but in the middle of the fuselage near the center of gravity. This design had already proven itself in the US Bell P-39 . The reason for this arrangement, however, lay in the problems with the nose-wheel landing gear , which was unusual for the time , which occurred during testing with the 309: The landing gear often broke because of the heavy engine directly above it.

The cockpit, which is very far forward, should have pressure ventilation. The drive was a Daimler-Benz DB 605 , which was supposed to drive the three-bladed propeller in front via a long-distance shaft that ran under the pilot.

Two MG 131 and two MG 151/20 were provided as armament .

The project ended at the same time as that of the 309.

It is believed that the plans for this aircraft were also delivered to Japan, where the very similar Yokosuka R2Y Seiun / Keiun was made and flew before the end of the war.

Technical specifications

  • Type: Single-engine single-seater hunting
  • Wing: Cantilever low wing aircraft with trapezoidal wing
  • Hull: Structure as an all-metal shell with an oval cross-section.
  • Tail: Cantilevered cruciform tail
  • Landing gear: Retractable nose wheel landing gear. Main wheels inwards into the wings, nose wheel retractable under the bow of the fuselage while swiveling the wheel 90 ° backwards.
  • Powerplant: A liquid-cooled twelve-cylinder V-engine Daimler-Benz DB 605  B with 1450 hp take-off power. Three-blade controllable pitch propeller . Abdominal cooler under the torso.
  • Crew: 1 pilot in a pressurized cabin with a full view canopy
  • Military equipment: armament with 2 × 13-mm MG 131 , and 2 × 20-mm MG 151/20

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