Junkers EF 126

The Junkers EF 126 was an experimental fighter proposed by the German Miniaturjägerprogramm of 1944–1945, for a cheap and simple fighter powered by a pulsejet engine. No examples were built during the war, but the Soviet Union completed both unpowered and powered prototypes.

Junkers EF 126 Elli
Junker EF 126 sketch
Role	Fighter
Manufacturer	Junkers
First flight	May 21, 1946 (unpowered prototype) March 16, 1947 (powered prototype)
Status	cancelled
Number built	5
Developed into	Junkers EF 127

The design of the Ju EF 126 was developed into the Junkers EF 127, a rocket-powered version.

Miniaturjäger

During 1944, the Miniaturjäger programme for the simplest, cheapest fighter possible was launched by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM), the German Ministry of Aviation. In order to minimise cost and complexity, it was to be powered by a pulse jet, as used by the V-1 flying bomb and its manned version, the Fieseler Fi 103R (Reichenberg).^[1] Designs were produced by Heinkel, with a pulse jet powered version of their Heinkel He 162, Blohm & Voss (the P213) and Junkers.^[2]

EF 126

Junker's design, the EF 126, was of similar layout to the V-1, with the single Argus 109-044, rated at 4.9 kilonewtons (1,100 lbf), mounted above the aft fuselage and fin. The fuselage was of metal construction, while the wings were wooden. A retractable nosewheel undercarriage was to be fitted. As the pulse-jet's power would reduce at altitude, the aircraft was intended for low-altitude use and had a secondary ground-attack role. Armament consisted of two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon, and up to 400 kg (880 lb) of bombs could be carried under the wings.^[3]

Variants

EF 126 V1

First prototype, towed into the air by a captured Junkers Ju 88G-6 in the post war period. Later, it crashed.

EF 126 V2

Second prototype, also constructed but never completed.

EF 126 V3,V5

Complete prototypes with Argus pulse jet.

EF 126 V4

Completed and tested by the Soviets in 1947, with a running engine.

Specifications (Ju EF 126)

Data from German Aircraft of the Second World War.^[3]

General characteristics

• Crew: 1
• Length: 8.46 m (27 ft 9 in)
• Wingspan: 6.65 m (21 ft 10 in)
• Height: 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in)
• Wing area: 8.9 m² (189 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,100 kg (2,420 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,800 kg (6,160 lb)
• Fuel capacity: 1,100kg
• Powerplant: 1 × Argus 109-044 Pulse jet, 4.9 kN (1,100 lbf) thrust

Performance

• Maximum speed: 780 km/h (485 mph, 421 kn)
• Range: 350 km (218 mi, 189 nmi) 60% power
• Endurance: 45 min
• Rate of climb: 8.0 m/s (1,575 ft/min)
• Wing loading: 314 kg/m² (32.6 lb/sq ft)
• Endurance: 23 mins (100% speed)

Armament

• Guns: 2× 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon
• Bombs: 400 kg (880 lb) external weapons

See also

• Emergency Fighter Program

Related development

• Junkers EF 127

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

• Blohm & Voss P 213
• Heinkel He 162
• Messerschmitt Me 328
• Messerschmitt P.1079