Messerschmitt Me 264

Messerschmitt

Industry	Aircraft manufacturing
Founded	1930s
Products	Military aircraft, including the Me 264 strategic bomber

Template:Infobox aircraft

The Messerschmitt Me 264 was a German long-range strategic bomber designed during World War II for the Luftwaffe to serve as its principal strategic bombing platform. It was later selected as Messerschmitt's entry in the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) Amerikabomber initiative, which aimed to develop a bomber capable of reaching targets such as New York City from bases located in France or the Azores.

Although three prototype units were constructed, production was halted so that Messerschmitt could focus on fighter aircraft manufacturing. Consequently, the Junkers Ju 390 was chosen instead. The Me 264 project continued in a modified capacity as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

Development

The Me 264's origins trace back to Messerschmitt's late-1930s long-range reconnaissance aircraft project known as the P.1061. A derivative model, the P.1062, featured three prototypes built with two more powerful "power systems" compared to the P.1061’s four engines. These power systems were the Daimler-Benz DB 606, each consisting of two paired Daimler-Benz DB 601 inverted V-12 engines. Similar power units were employed in the long-range Messerschmitt Me 261, itself stemming from the Messerschmitt P.1064 design of 1937. The DB 606 engines later gained notoriety when used in the Heinkel He 177A, where poorly engineered engine installations led Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring to mock them as "welded-together engines" in August 1942.

In early 1941, Messerschmitt received an order for six P.1061 prototypes under the designation Me 264, which was subsequently reduced to three units.

Progress on these projects was gradual; however, after Germany declared war on the United States shortly following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, the RLM intensified efforts in spring 1942 by launching the Amerikabomber program targeting a very long-range bomber. This led to calls for a larger aircraft powered by six engines and capable of carrying heavier bomb loads. Designs proposed included the Junkers Ju 390, the Focke-Wulf Ta 400, a revised version of the Heinkel He 277 (which only received its official RLM airframe number by February 1943 to secure Heinkel’s participation in the program), and a conceptual six-engine extended-wingspan variant of the Me 264B.

The requirement for six engines arose due to German aero-engine manufacturers’ inability to produce dependable powerplants exceeding approximately 2,000 PS (1,470 kW) output, preventing effective four-engine configurations at this power level. Since the Junkers Ju 390 could utilize existing components from the Junkers Ju 290, it was ultimately selected.

Despite this, development of the Me 264 persisted because the Kriegsmarine sought a long-range maritime patrol and attack aircraft to replace their modified Fw 200 Condor. This position was supported by then-Generalmajor Eccard Freiherr von Gablenz of the Heer, who in May 1942, after being consulted by Generalfeldmarschall Erhard Milch, endorsed the suitability of the Me 264 for the Amerikabomber mission—reflecting views similar to those held by the Kriegsmarine. Consequently, orders were placed for completion of two remaining prototypes as development models of the Me 264A variant intended for ultra-long-range reconnaissance roles.

Design

The Me 264 was constructed entirely from metal and featured a high-wing configuration with four engines, classifying it as a heavy bomber. Its fuselage had a circular cross-section and included a glazed nose section that housed a "stepless cockpit", characterized by the absence of a distinct windscreen panel for the pilots—an element typical of many later German bomber models. A notably similar design approach was employed earlier in the B-29. The wing design incorporated a slightly swept leading edge paired with a straight trailing edge. The tail assembly featured twin vertical fins. The retractable undercarriage utilized a tricycle arrangement, with large-diameter wheels mounted on the wings for the main gear.

Armament plans included remotely controlled turrets and side fuselage gun positions. To maximize fuel storage and extend operational range, the aircraft was equipped with minimal armor and limited defensive weaponry. Initially, the Me 264 prototype was powered by four Junkers Jumo 211 inverted V12 engines housed in the new Kraftei (or "power-egg") modular engine mounts, standard for the earlier Ju 88A Schnellbomber. However, due to insufficient power output from the Jumo 211s, these were replaced on the first prototype (Me 264 V1) with four 1,700 PS (1,250 kW) BMW 801G engines. To enhance crew comfort during extended missions, accommodations included bunk beds and a compact galley equipped with hot plates.

Operational history

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1995-042-37, Schwerer Bomber Messerschmitt Me 264 V1.jpg

Me 264 V1 during flight trials.

The inaugural prototype, designated Me 264 V1 and marked with the Stammkennzeichen factory code RE+EN, took its maiden flight on 23 December 1942. Initially powered by four Jumo 211J inline engines each rated at 1,340 PS (986 kW), these were replaced in late 1943 by more powerful 1,750 PS (1,287 kW) BMW 801G radial engines. Flight tests revealed several minor defects and handling difficulties. A significant drawback was the aircraft’s high wing loading when fully loaded, reaching approximately 356 kg/m² (73 lb/sq ft). By comparison, similar contemporary bombers exhibited lower wing loadings: the B-29 at around 337 kg/m² (69 lb/sq ft), the redesigned He 277 at roughly 334.6 kg/m² (68.5 lb/sq ft), and the Ju 390 significantly lower at 209 kg/m² (43 lb/sq ft). This elevated wing loading adversely impacted climb rate, maneuverability, stability, and resulted in higher takeoff and landing speeds. Additionally, the first prototype lacked both armament and armor, which would have further degraded performance if installed.

The second prototype, Me 264 V2, incorporated armor protection around engines, crew compartments, and gun positions; however, defensive armaments and other essential operational equipment were never installed. The third prototype (Me 264 V3), which remained incomplete, was intended to be fully armed and armored.

In 1943, the Kriegsmarine discontinued interest in the Me 264 in favor of the Ju 290 and planned Ju 390 projects. Meanwhile, the Luftwaffe expressed preference for alternative Amerikabomber designs such as the unbuilt Ta 400 and Heinkel He 277 based on projected capabilities as of May 1943. By October of that year, Milch formally terminated development of the Me 264 to allow Messerschmitt to prioritize other programs including production of the Me 262 jet fighter-bomber. Subsequently, no further funding was allocated to Messerschmitt AG for this bomber’s development.

Late in 1943 saw the destruction of the second prototype Me 264 V2 during an air raid. On 18 July 1944, the first prototype—operational with Transportstaffel 5—sustained damage from an Allied bombing attack and was not repaired thereafter. The unfinished third prototype was also destroyed during this same raid.

Following cancellation of its competing Junkers project in April 1944, official termination of all work on the Me 264 occurred on 23 September 1944. Messerschmitt proposed an enhanced six-engine variant called Me 264/6m or Me 364, but this model never progressed beyond planning stages.

See also

Bibliography

• Duffy, James P. Target: America. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 2004. ISBN 0-275-96684-4.
• Forsyth, Robert and Eddie J. Creek. Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerika Bomber: The Luftwaffe's Lost Transatlantic Bomber. Hinckley, UK: Classic Publications, 2007. ISBN 1-903223-65-2.
• Green, William. The warplanes of the Third Reich. New York: Doubleday, 1973 (orig. 1970). ISBN 0385057822.
• Griehl, Manfred. Luftwaffe Over America. London: Greenhill Books, 2004. ISBN 1-85367-608-X.
• Griehl, Manfred and Dressel, Joachim. Heinkel He 177 - 277 - 274. Shrewsbury, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1998. ISBN 1-85310-364-0.
• Messerschmitt-Me 264: Ein außergewöhnlicher Fernstaufklärer mit 15000 km Reichweite (Sonderdruck aus "Flugwelt"). Wiesbaden: Flugwelt Verlag GmbH, 1960. ISSN: 0015-4547.
• Neitzel, Söhnke. Der Einsatz der Deutschen Luftwaffe über der Nordsee und dem Atlantik, 1939–1945. Nordrhein-Westfalen: Bernard & Graefe, 1995. ISBN 978-3-7637-5938-5.
• Smith, J. Richard. Messerschmitt: An Aircraft Album. New York: ARCO Publishing Company, Inc., 1971. ISBN 978-0-668-02505-8.
• Smith, J. Richard and Kay, Anthony. German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam and Company Ltd., 1972. ISBN 0-370-00024-2.

External links

• Pilotfriend.com
• miliavia.net