HOME      Messerschmitt Me-328

 
 
 
 
 
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.


The Messerschmnitt Me-328 was the world's smallest pulse jet.  Its design started in 1941. The small fighter was intended to be launched from a bomber, defend the bomber formation, and then glide back home.

Flight testing of the Messerschmnitt Me-328 began in 1943. The aircraft were carried "piggy back" without engines on a mother aircraft to test their flight characteristics. In early 1944 tests were conducted with a pulse jet engine fitted on the rear of the fuselage. The wooden airframes couldn't take the vibrations from the engines and two of the prototype aircraft were lost in flight due to airframe failures. The engines were then fitted to the under side of the wings to try to lessen the vibrations. Although this helped somewhat, strong vibrations still persisted.

Even before the first flight tests were finished, the firm of Jacobs Schweyer, Darmstadt, was preparing to produce the Messerschmnitt Me-328, series B. This version had the wings mounted higher on the fuselage which provided sufficient ground clearance for the Argus pulse jet engines. The program was canceled in September 1943 only to be revived again in 1944.
 
The Messerschmitt Me 328 was originally designed as a parasite fighter to protect Luftwaffe bomber formations during World War II. During its long development, a wide variety of other roles were suggested for it ranging from a point-defense interceptor, to a U-Boat defense system, to a ground-attack machine. Late in the war, the design was resurrected for consideration as a selbstopfer aircraft, but was judged unsuitable even for this purpose. The unsuitability of the pulse jet engines doomed the aircraft from the start.
 
The vibration problem of the engines simply could not be overcome and the program was abandoned in early 1944, just as production facilities were being readied to construct the aircraft at the Jacob Schweyer sailplane factory.

Specifications

        Primary Function:
        Crew:
        Engines/Thrust:
        Weight Empty:
        Max. Weight:
        Cannons:
        Ordnance:
        Length:
        Wingspan:
        Cruise Speed:
        Max. Speed:
        Climb Rate:
        Ceiling:
        Range:
        First flight:
fighter/escort
one
2- 900 lbs. ea.
4,056 lbs.
5,896 lbs.
2- 20 mm
440 lbs.
27' 7"
20' 6"
263 mph
375 mph
2,500 fpm est.
30,500 feet
350 miles
11/23/43

 
Not a Radio Control Airplane

Me-328 ready for test flight.
 
Not a Radio Control Airplane

Me-328 showing engine.

Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
The RC Messerschmnitt Me-328 airplane in the two pictures below was scratched built by Jim Kiehl. Power for the Messerschmnitt Me-328 radio control airplane is by a couple of electric Hi-Line Red Flame Blaster fans. The rc airplane has a wing span of 44 inches.  All up weight of the radio control airplane is only 30 ounces!

If you know of any Messerschmnitt Me-328 RC, either plan, kit, or arf, or if you have built a rc Messerschmnitt Me-328 radio control airplane, please email us about it.

Radio Control Airplane
RC Messerschmitt Me-328 by Jim Kiehl.
 
 
Radio Control Airplane  
 A Messerschmitt Me-328 rc in flight.