Me 264

Me 264

He 111 H-16

Do 217 E-2

Me 264

He 111 H-16

Do 217 E-2

Germany

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.3	5.0	5.0

Class:

Bomber

Long Range bomber

Research:18 000

Purchase:47 000

Show in game

Description

The Me 264 is a rank III German bomber with a battle rating of 4.3 (AB) and 5.0 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy".

General info

Flight performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
496	487	10000	38.1	39.1	1.2	1.2	2,600
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
545	519	10000	35.9	37.0	6.7	3.5	2,600

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flaps (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
		380	~6	~3

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 340	< 350	< 290	> 290

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
2,600 m	1,750 hp	2,074 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
6,800 m	1,540 hp	1,825 hp
Setting 3
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
9,700 m	1,230 hp	1,458 hp

Survivability and armour

<--Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.-->

Despite the lack of armour overall, the Me 264 Amerikabomber can take quite a beating and has a knack for surviving fires. Due to its four engines, it can lose one or two and still make it back to base for repairs. However, it is one of the largest planes in the game and thus is impossible to miss, so while you can take a lot of damage, you will be receiving a lot as well.

Armaments

Suspended armament

The Me 264 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• 9 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (2,250 kg total)
• 6 x 500 kg SC500K bombs + 3 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (3,750 kg total)
• 4 x 1,000 kg SC1000L2 bombs (4,000 kg total)
• 2 x 1,800 kg SC1800B bombs + 3 x 250 kg SC250JA bombs (4,350 kg total)

Defensive armament

The Me 264 is defended by:

• 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, nose turret (750 rpg)
• 1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, front dorsal turret (450 rpg)
• 1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, rear dorsal turret (450 rpg)
• 1 x 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, ventral turret (750 rpg)
• 1 x 13 mm MG 131 machine gun, 2 x beam turrets (500 rpg)

Usage in battles

The Me 264 plays like your typical heavy bomber: A slow and lumbering beast that has amazing defensive armament and a good payload. While you may have one of the best defensive armaments in the German bomber line (or out of bombers in general), it is best to avoid engagements all together to minimize potential damage due to your massive size. However, if an enemy gets on your tail, they're as good as dead thanks to your superb defensive armament that can shred through planes like paper. Never allow a plane to head-on you. Be sure to face your tail towards the attacker, as more than half of your guns face towards the back and your glazed nose makes it easy to snipe your pilot out.

Notable enemies include any heavily armed interceptor that has at least semi-decent performance, but notably the P-61, P-38J, Mosquito and the P-47D's, as all of these planes can climb to your altitude and destroy you with their heavy armament.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Not controllable Auto control available	Controllable Not auto controlled	Combined	Not controllable 3 gears	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage repair	Radiator		Turret 13 mm		ETC 500/II
II		Compressor	Airframe		Turret 20 mm	ETC 1000/I
III	Wings repair	Engine		New 13 mm MGs (turret)		ETC 1800
IV		Engine injection	Cover		New 20 mm cannons (turret)

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Deadly defensive armament
• Great payload
• Decent speed and acceleration for a bomber
• Maneuverability is good
• Solid RP grinder

Cons:

• Gunners have a lot of deadzones
• Massive size, one of the biggest planes in the game
• Has troubles diving at high speeds
• Ludicrously high repair cost

History

Development of the Me 264 began in the late 1930s when Messerschmitt conducted work on developing a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, designated P.1061. In early 1941, six prototypes of the P.1061 were ordered and the aircraft received the formal designation of Me 264. However, the initial order for six prototypes would shortly afterwards be dropped to three.

Progress on constructing the ordered prototypes was slow at start, but development quickly picked up the pace with the start of the Amerikabomber project in spring 1942. The project called for new very long range strategic bomber designs, resulting in several designs being proposed, among them also the Me 264.

It soon became clear that despite all the advantages of the Me 264 the aircraft would not be able to demonstrate acceptable flight characteristics due to the lack of more powerful engines at that time. Apart from the Amerikabomber project, the Me 264 was also briefly considered by the Kriegsmarine as a possible replacement for the dated Fw 200 in the maritime reconnaissance role.

The first and only prototype of the Me 264 which saw completion, flew on 23 December 1942. While undergoing modifications, the Me 264 project had its further development halted, with the sole completed prototype being used as a transport machine. In 1943, the second prototype was destroyed during an allied bombing raid. The same fate also struck the first and unfinished third prototype in July 1944. After all prototypes were lost, the Me 264 project was officially cancelled in September 1944.

- From [Devblog

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [Devblog] Me 264: The Teutonic Superfortress
• [Rare Historical Photos] Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerika bomber