Airdrop

I read with great interest the article “Pioneer Jets of World War II” (August 2017) on early jet aircraft. Barrett Tillman did an outstanding job of summing up the world’s earliest experience with jet aircraft. There was, however, an interesting point that was not discussed. Apparently, all of the designers of all of the early jet aircraft overlooked the need for an airbrake to slow the aircraft for landing and steepen its approach. The Luftwaffe paid a significant penalty for this in WW II. The Me 262 needed a long, flat approach to landing, which made it potential prey for Allied fighters that were aggressively patrolling German airspace late in the war.

Good observation, Les! We hadn’t thought about that, but the designers didn’t either, so…—BD

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