The Goal: Me 262 to Oshkosh

The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia, has a big goal in mind for an “Only at Oshkosh” moment in 2025: The arrival of its Messerschmitt Me 262 fighter jet reproduction at Wittman Regional Airport in July. If it occurs, it would be a first for one of the few aircraft types that has not made an appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

“We can think no place better to bring the Me 262 reproduction than to Oshkosh, because of the great appreciation EAA members and attendees have for historic aircraft,” said Keegan Chetwynd, the Military Aviation Museum’s director and CEO. “We all know the story with old airplanes, however – they have their own schedules regardless of what plans we might set. We’re investing in this project to make it happen, so any result won’t be for lack of trying.”

The work to create hyper-accurate, new-build Me 262s began in 1993, using an original airframe as a template to work from – this being the National Naval Aviation Museum’s Me 262B-1a/U1 WNr.121448. To solve the powerplant’s reliability issues in the original aircraft, the replica Me 262s all feature modern, de-rated General Electric CJ610 jet engines. The Military Aviation Museum’s aircraft first flew in 2011.

“This magnificent Me 262 would fit perfectly with our 2025 programming that is focusing on the remarkable leaps of aviation technology that occurred between the end of World War II and the early days of the Korean War,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “We understand the challenges of not only preparing this reproduction for a trip to Oshkosh, but the logistical needs along the way. We appreciate the Military Aviation Museum’s efforts to make it happen and will eagerly follow its steps on the flightpath to Oshkosh.”

EAA and the Military Aviation Museum will track the progress of the Me 262 reproduction as it prepares for the historic journey. Those updates will be available through social media and regular web updates.

The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Its initial conception actually predates World War II, but problems with the engines delayed its Luftwaffe service until mid-1944. The aircraft’s design was perhaps the most technologically advanced of the war. It had two primary roles: the Me 262 A-1 Schwalbe (Swallow) served as a defensive interceptor, while the Me 262 A-2 Sturmvogel (Stormbird) acted as a fighter-bomber.

The background of the reproduction’s historical markings is available through the Military Aviation Museum’s website. It recognizes Hans Guido Mutke, who in April 1945 landed the original aircraft in neutral Switzerland as the war was nearing its end.