Slightly Fictional History

Is this one "fictional"? Not really, I guess. I changed the design somewhat, but still -the P.1101 was indeed designed by Messerschmitt, but never took to the skies because the war was finished before the plane. Later, though, Bell revived the design in their X-5.

The P.1101 was designed by Messerschmitt in 1944, following a call by the German government for an "emergency fighter" -fast, heavily armed, cheap and simple to build, even simpler to fly. Messerschmitt actually made several designs, some incorporating variable-sweep wings. The Focke-Wulf Ta 183 "Huckebein" won the design contest, but since much design work had already been put into the P.1101 it was decided to build at least one prototype for testing. In april '45, the 80% complete protoype was found by an American infantry unit, and the plane ended up at Bell Aircraft... who then used it as a basis for their X-5 in 1951.

Armament

The P.1101's nose was supposed to have been equipped with no less than four (4!) MK108 30mm autocannons, capable of ripping a large bomber to shreds in no time. In addition, it would have carried several Ruhrstal X-4 air-to-air missiles; these wire-guided missiles were supposed to "guarantee a kill" when used against bomber formations.
In keeping with the original design, I equipped this build with four cannons and two X-4 missiles. Don't expect too much of the latter, though; the range is limited, you have to keep a visual on your target all the time, and if that target gets too close you won't even have time to aim properly. Great for taking out a lumbering 4-engine bomber... if you're not going too fast, if you're not heading toward the target, if the target doesnt dodge, etc... useless in a manoeuvering dogfight.

Controls

The plane is easy enough to handle, but there are a few caveats; go too fast or brake too suddenly on the tarmac, and the landing gear's narrow base could cause you to lose control. Take off at some 200 km/h, and use the drag chute on landing.

AG1 toggles the sweep of the wings. With the wings swept back, the plane is faster but less manoeuvrable; best position to get to altitude fast -or to run from a bogey on your tail. With the wings swept forward, the roll rate isn't great but the plane will corner more tightly and is easier to control at low speeds.
AG2 activates the air brakes. No idea if Messerschmitt had thought of these, but they do come in handy sometimes... hence I added them. The same goes for the drag chute, activated by AG3.
AG8 is simply a toggle for the wingtip nav lights and engine smoke effect... of little consequence.

All other controls are standard; VTOL down for flaps (only with wings swept forward), trim=trim.

Note that this plane wasn't designed as a dogfighter, but as an interceptor to use "boom and zoom" tactics; get up to the bombers fast, take a few of 'em out on your way up, then again on your way back down... and do it all at high speed to get away from the escort fighters.

Happy hunting