Stormbird Colors: Construction, Camouflage and Markings of the Me 262

The history, camouflage and markings of the Me 262 is described with the assistance of 40 WWII period photos, scale drawings, and excerpts from an original Me 262 engineering handbook. The Jumo 004 turbojet engine is also placed in its historical context as both a crucial asset and disappointing liability for the Stormbird. A full color 32 page photo essay of "Black X", Werknummer 500200 is outlined together with a history of its pilot and its service with II./KG 51. "Black X" is the last remaining complete Me 262 bomber, now housed in Australia. This fascinating Stormbird was repainted in the 1950s but its original wartime paint work was partially exposed by research in the early 1980s. Important elements of "Black X", including the cannon bay and fuselage interior are in extraordinarily good condition. EF#5 includes many color photographs to highlight construction and camouflage aspects of this significant aircraft. The late-war camouflage on "Black X" is comprehensively discussed and cross referenced against reliable sources of RLM colors and Federal Standard samples. Illustrated by Tom Tullis, all new color profiles plus a summary of the special markings applied to the Stormbird are included along with tactical and unit markings presented in full color