Project studies for what would become the Messerschmitt 262 began in October 1938. Originally designated the P1065, the type eventually acquired the nicknames Schnellbomber, Sturmvogel and Schwalbe (Fast Bomber, Stormy Petrel [the literal English translation is Storm Bird] and Swallow). Simultaneously, BMW was developing its P3302 gas turbine engine, which they hoped would produce over 1,300lb of thrust. In June 1939 the project was passed to the Reichsluftfahrtministerium and it pushed forward with the design and production. As usual with the early German jets, what initially slowed down progress were the engines. BMW was over optimistic as to the thrust from the engines and the company was a year late in bench testing them. Consequently, the first flight of the P1065 did not take place until April 1941 and even then, it was powered by a nose-fitted piston engine. The first P3302 engines (now known as BMW 003s) were finally fitted in July and on March 25,1942, Flugkapitan Fritz Wendel, the Messerschmitt test pilot, took the aircraft, now designated the Me 262, to the skies. Fortunately, it still had the piston engine fitted as both jet engines flamed out. It was obvious the BMW 003 was not yet fit for purpose, but now Junkers had produced its Jumo 004 turbojet which could generate 2,200lb of thrust. This engine was installed on the V3 variant which featured a tail wheel; the design changed to a nosewheel configuration as the aircraft's centre of gravity was moved forward. In July 17,1942, Fritz Wendel took off on the first purely jet-powered flight (the nose piston engine having been removed).
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