Messerschmitt 262 Airborne Again:
"It performed flawlessly and flew amazingly well!"
These were precisely the words we wanted to hear from our Chief Pilot, Mike Spalding, after he completed the first test flight in the Museum's replica Messerschmitt Me 262 this afternoon!
As mentioned in a recent article, the aircraft had been ground-bound for more than five years due to brake system issues. But now, with the installation of a new, though well-proven brake design in place and a thorough going over of the jet from warbird experts Ike and Alison Burchinal, our Stormbird was able to take to the skies again.
Watching from the Ground:
Our Museum's Director and CEO, Keegan Chetwynd, was on hand to witness today's events, and he described the experience of watching them unfold as follows...
Just shy of 75 degrees Fahrenheit outside, the hangar doors were open and the few personnel on hand were making use of the shade the building provided to stay a little cool. Museum chief pilot, Mike Spalding, was donning his helmet and settling the oxygen mask in place.
As Mike lit the engines, everyone sitting nearby contemplated the same question. Can you imagine what the very first people to hear that sound thought? A secret technology developed shortly before WWII, the jet engine was a radical new concept. Almost no one had ever seen a powered airplane without a propeller before - nor heard the whoosh of hot gasses, tinged with the scent of burned kerosene, rushing from a jet's exhaust when the Messerschmitt's Me 262 first arrived on the scene in early 1941.
What must they have thought of the 262? Well - we do know the feelings of a least one person from that time. Luftwaffe ace, Adolf Galland, proclaimed that this aircraft was not just a step forward - but a leap. This machine could revolutionize fighter combat and - in the eyes of the Luftwaffe - change the course of the war.
Mike taxied out in the '262 and positioned himself at the end of the runway ready for the first flight. We could hear the engines' whine transform into a scream as they spooled up to takeoff power. As the jet roared down the tarmac and leapt into the air, we once again found ourselves asking - just what would we have thought we were looking at - if we had seen the sillouhette of this jet in a dogfight for the first time. That shark-like nose, sleek airframe, swept back wings and - once again - that howling engine noise. The 262 was so unlike anything else in the skies over Germany when the type entered combat in July 1944.
The legendary Chuck Yeager is said to have explained, “The first time I saw a jet, I shot it down,” when asked to relate his experience of seeing 262's in combat. Others addressed the phenomenon less brashly. For instance, Mustang pilot John B. Murphy of the 359th Fighter Group recalled: “My first reaction when I saw the jet plane was that I was standing still. It seemed hopeless to try to attempt to overtake them, but my actions were prompted by a curiosity to get as close to them as possible. I believe that will be the reaction of every pilot that comes in contact with them.”
And so it was for us on the ground as Mike leveled out and headed across the field. We were standing still, awed by just how radically different this airplane is from any other in the Museum's collection. All of us old hands, spoiled by how regularly we see WWII aircraft fly, were speechless, sharing a moment of reflection on what it must have been to see this almost alien technology for the first time. And then to find the courage to break through the spectacle of it all and press home one's attack.
The 262 climbing out for its first test flight. (image by Zachary Baughman)
The undercarriage going up after takeoff. (image by Zachary Baughman)
Mike Spalding performing a fly-by at Suffolk Executive Airport while Museum personnel watch on from the ground. (image by Zachary Baughman)
A beautiful image of the 262 in the spring air. (image by Zachary Baughman)
Mike Spalding's Reaction:
Back on the ground, Mike Spalding described the experience of this first, post-overhaul flight in his usual laconic style, underplaying his role in this extraordinary moment.
"There’s nothing special about the way it handles; it flies just like any other jet aircraft. I believe that’s a testament to the amazing German engineering from way back. They got it right the first time."
"Takeoff was uneventful and a normal climb out. It accelerates fairly quickly, but after getting airborne, it accelerates very quick and you need to get the gear and flaps up pretty fast. Everything worked good and as expected."
"I flew around for about an hour and everything stayed good the whole time. All maneuvers were uneventful and I returned to do the overhead and landed. The brakes (which were the whole issue with the airplane sitting for so long) worked great and I feel that they will not be a problem for us again going forward. I'm very happy with the airplane and look forward to the next several flights ahead. We don’t anticipate any further issues at this point."
According to Mike Spalding, our 262 has only about 50 hours on the clock since it first flew back in July 2011, with Mike having flown about half of that. But it has obviously been some time since he last flew the jet. When asked what specific tests he performed during this most recent, roughly hour-long flight, Spalding noted:
"Honestly, I really didn’t do any. I just flew it around in slow flight, and then accelerated to 250. Mainly I was just letting her fly, to feel the air again - getting us both reacquainted."
What's Next:
It has been a long road getting the aircraft back in the air; three years of engineering and fabrication, followed by three weeks of intensive work to install and test the aircraft's modified systems. We will continue the flight testing over the next few weeks until we are satisfied that everything is performing as it should. However, we simply can’t wait to share it with everyone - to invite you all to join us in that moment of amazement and travel back to the birth of a technology which defines our modern world. We will let you know as soon as that day arrives!