Messerschmitt Me 264
Messerschmitt · Germany · first flew 1942 · bomber
The Messerschmitt Me 264 was Germany's primary candidate for the so-called Amerika Bomber programme, a Luftwaffe requirement for a bomber capable of reaching the eastern United States from European bases. Only three prototypes were built and none reached operational service.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Four-engine long-range bomber with slender fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German WWII Amerika Bomber — intercontinental range concept
- Four-engine long-range bomber with slender fuselage
- Very long tapered wing for high-altitude cruise
Distinguished by its exceptionally long, high-aspect-ratio wing spanning 43 m on a relatively narrow fuselage; the four engines in underwing nacelles and conventional tail give it a clean, modern appearance for a 1942 design.
Specifications
- The Messerschmitt Me 264 has a length of 20.9 m (69 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 43 m (141 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 546 km/h (339 mph).
- Typical crew: 6.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Design work began in the late 1930s and the first prototype flew in December 1942. The aircraft demonstrated sufficient range and performance in testing, but Allied bombing of production facilities and shifting wartime priorities led to cancellation before series production began. The programme was formally abandoned in 1944.
Variants
Three prototypes were constructed with varying engine configurations including Jumo 211 and BMW 801 radials; a proposed six-engine variant never materialized.
Where you'll see it
The Me 264 never entered Luftwaffe service; all three prototypes were destroyed or scrapped before the end of the war.
Related aircraft
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- Messerschmitt Bf 109G
- Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6
- Messerschmitt Me 262
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- Avro Lancaster B.III
- B-29 Superfortress
- Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress
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