Fuselage Now Mated To Wing

As the second Me262 nears flight test in Germany, the third of five flying reproduction Me262 fighter jets has made a major step towards completion. The wing has now been joined to the fuselage as steady work continues on the cockpits of the historic aircraft. 

Integration of the engines will be the next step for the Me262 Project team in Everett, WA.  Known as White 3, the Me262 (which can be converted from a single seat fighter to a two-seat variant) has several potential buyers interested in the aircraft.

The Me 262 Project was launched in 1993 with a single objective: to reproduce flying examples of the legendary Me 262. Classic Fighter Industries, Incorporated (CFII) was incorporated specifically to administer this effort, and exercised direct control over the project from 1993 until early 2001, when all assets were transferred to the owner's group in preparation for final assembly, the test flight programs, and delivery.

Production has been strictly limited to five aircraft: once these five are complete, no more will ever be produced, now or in the future.

The airplanes are being manufactured as a continuation of the basic Me 262 design.  In fact, they have even been assigned factory serial numbers drawn from the werknummern sequences used on the original 1945 production lines.

Me262 Project leader Bob Hammer reports that work continues on the fourth airframe (a flying example), with the fifth Me262 being marketed as a museum static.  The Me262 is surely a centerpiece for any collection.

FMI: www.warbirdrecovery.com, www.airassets.com