Originally posted by ra ME p1101.ra
The P.1101 was the first variable geometry jet fighter, although it's wing sweep could only be altered from 35 degrees to 45 degrees whilst the plane was on the ground. The two-piece wing had steel spars with wooden skin and ribs, and was located in the high-mid position. The tail surfaces were also swept. The pressurised cabin was located well forward in the upper part of the fuselage, and behind it was the fuel tank and space for the retracted main undercarriage legs. Below the cockpit was the air intake and duct for the turbojet engine, which was mounted in mid-fuselage.The P.1101's development started early in 1944. The Messerschmitt advanced design office was looking for a single-engined jet fighter with the same endurance and range as the successful Me 262. Of the several projects considered, the P.1101 was personally selected by Willy Messerschmitt for research into high speed flight and experiments with swept wings. After wind tunnel testing, construction of an experimental prototype was initiated in July 1944 but only near completion when the Allies captured the airbase where the plane was being built.The P.1101 provided the fundamental design ideas for the American Bell X-5 variable sweep research aircraft.
