Messerschmitt P.1107
| Industry | Aerospace |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | Aircraft, including the Messerschmitt P.1107 jet bomber concept |
Template:Infobox aircraft
The Messerschmitt P.1107 (also known as Me P.1107) represented a jet-powered bomber concept initiated during the closing period of the Second World War.
Design and development
On January 25, 1945, Messerschmitt introduced the P.1107/I, a jet bomber design.[1] Drawing on lessons from the earlier Me 264 bomber, this model was intended to be propelled by either two BMW 018 turbojet engines housed in pods beneath the wings or four turbojets—specifically BMW 003D or Heinkel HeS 109-011 models—arranged in twin pods under the wings.[1][2] The fuselage, constructed from steel and duralumin, was adapted from the Me 264, while wooden materials were planned for the wings.[1] The landing gear design included two large main wheels retracting into the fuselage and dual nose wheels, complemented by a high-mounted tailplane forming a T-tail. Fuel storage was allocated within both the mid-fuselage and wing structures. The pressurized and heated cockpit was designed to accommodate four crew members along with radio and radar apparatus.[1] Offensive capabilities featured a bomb payload capacity of 4,000 kg housed internally; defensive weaponry was not part of the design.[1] However, the RLM dismissed this version due to concerns over insufficient speed and ceiling to safely reach targets in the United States.[2]
Subsequently, the project evolved into the P.1107/II variant, which incorporated an all-metal airframe and utilized four Heinkel HeS 011 engines embedded in the wing roots. This iteration featured a distinctive V-tail. Construction of a prototype for the P.1107/II had commenced but was left incomplete as hostilities ceased.
A third configuration, designated IX-122, is documented through surviving drawings.[1] This version lacked a conventional tailplane and incorporated significantly expanded wings. The main landing gear was designed to retract into the wings, while a single nose wheel was engineered to rotate 90 degrees before retracting rearward beneath the cockpit.[1]
Variants
- P.1107/I (P.1107A)
- Initial design proposal featuring metal fuselage with wooden wings, pod-mounted engines, and a T-tail layout. Both bomber and reconnaissance roles were envisioned.[1]
- P.1107/II (P.1107B)
- A more advanced concept with full metal construction, engines integrated into wing roots, and a V-tail configuration. Prototype assembly was interrupted by war's end.
- P.1107 (IX-122)
- A tailless design incorporating enlarged wings and modified landing gear mechanisms.
- Me 462
- Suggested RLM designation for the P.1107 project.Cite error: The opening
<ref>tag is malformed or has a bad name
Specifications (Proposed P.1107/I)
See also
Template:Messerschmitt aircraft Template:RLM aircraft designations