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 shoulder mounted 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 second design of the Me P.1104, showing the seated position of the
pilot and the placement of the internal components....