The Messerschmitt Me P.1104 was designed in 1944 (along with the FW "Volksjäger",
Ju EF 126 &127 and the Bacham Ba 349 "Natter") to be a rocket-powered
short-range interceptor. Construction was kept simple on the Me P.1104,
being mainly built of wood. The wings were mounted mid-fuselage and were
unswept. The Me P.1104 was to be towed into the air by either a Bf 109G
or Me 262, where it would then ignite its single Walter HWK 109-509A-1
rocket engine. The pilot flew in a conventional seated position and armament
consisted of a single MK 108 30mm cannon mounted beneath the cockpit. After
the attack, the Me P.1104 was flown to a landing on its retractable skid.
All design work ceased when the Ba 349 was awarded a development contract.
Span: 6.2 m (20' 4") Length: 4.7 m (15' 5") Max. Speed: 810 km/h (503 mph)
A cutaway view
of the first design of the Me P.1104, showing the seated position of the
pilot and the placement of the internal components....