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.

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). Designs were produced by Heinkel, with a pulse jet powered version of their Heinkel He 162, Blohm & Voss (the P213) and Junkers.

Ef 126
Junker's design, the EF 126, was of similar layout to the V-1, with the single Argus 109-044, rated at 1100 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 while up to 400 kg of bombs could be carried under the wings.

Variants
First prototype, towed into the air by a captured Junkers Ju 88G-6 in the post war period. Later, it crashed.
 * EF 126 V1

Second prototype, also constructed but never completed.
 * EF 126 V2

Complete prototypes with Argus pulse jet.
 * EF 126 V3,V5

Completed and tested by the Soviets in 1947, with a running engine.
 * EF 126 V4