Messerschmitt Me 395

Messerschmitt Me 395
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Messerschmitt Me 395A-1
Role	Fighter aircraft
National origin	German Empire
Manufacturer	Messerschmitt
First flight	15 July 1948
Introduction	1949 with the Imperial German Air Force
Retired	1980s
Number built	~3,250
Developed into	Messerschmitt Me 395C

The Messerschmitt Me 395 is a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced initially by Messerschmitt and later by Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, the 395 is best known as the German Empire's first widely produced swept-wing fighter and their primary combat aircraft in the skies of Korea during the Korean Crisis of 1950–1953, fighting some of the earliest jet-to-jet battles in history. Considered one of the best and most important fighter aircraft of the period, the Me 395 remained relevant far longer than its contemporaries. Although it was developed in the mid 1940s and was removed from German frontline service by the end of the 1950s, the forward-thinking approach of the Me 395's designers meant the type remained in service with other nations well into the last decades of the 20th Century.

Operators

Examples of early German Me 395s

A German Me 395 in Korea, 1951

Initial foreign operators of the Me 395

Late foreign operators of the Me 395

Argentinian Me 395s

Slovetinian Me 395C-2

Potential Operators

While the USAF evaluated the type, it was never adopted. The following drawing presents a fictional look at what a USAF Me 395C may have looked like in service.

Specifications (Me 395A-1)

2-view drawing of the Me 395.

General Characteristics:
Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Length: 11.54 meters
Wingspan: 12.08 meters
Height: 6.79 meters
Empty Weight: 5,253 kg
Gross Weight: 6,928 kg
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 8,150 kg
Fuel Capacity: 2,045 litres (JP-4) internally
Powerplant: 1x Junkers Jumo 110 (license-produced variant of J47-GE-33) turbojet engine, 25 kN thrust

Performance:
Maximum Speed: 560 kn at sea level
Stall Speed: 110 kn
Range: 1,175 nmi
Combat Range: 345 nmi with 2x 450 kg bombs and 2x 750 litre drop tanks
Service Ceiling: 47,750 ft at combat weight

Armament:
Guns: 4x MG 151/20 20mm Cannon
Rockets: Various
Bombs: up to 2,270 kg on four external underwing hardpoints