The Me P 1101 experimental aircraft was discoverd by US troops in April 1945 in Oberammergau, southern Germany.
The aircraft was to have swept wings to enable it to fly particularly fast. As Messerschmitt was not sure what the best sweep angle would be, a test aircraft was built in which the wings could be adjusted on the ground in order to find the optimum design. This aircraft was almost completed when American troops reached the Messerschmitt factory in Oberammergau. The Me P 1101 remained unnoticed for about a year until the Bell company brought it to the USA to carry out test flights. However, the P 1101 was damaged during transportation and Bell built its own version as the X-5, two of which provided valuable insights.
The operational version of the P 1101 would have three fuselage tanks and the shorter, but more powerful, jet engine Heinkel He S 011.
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In the summer of 1944, the Luftwaffe called for a single-seat fighter aircraft with a single jet engine. The new fighter was intended as the successor of the twin engined Me 262. This new aircraft was to regain air supremacy over Germany through superior flight performance.     The Messerschmitt company then developed the P 1101 project with an outstanding design. Different versions were planned as day fighters, all- weather fighters, night fighters and reconnaissance aircraft.
graphic: Uwe W. Jack Photo: U.S. Air Force
Messerschmitt Me P 1101 Luftwaffe jet fighter with swept wings A short Summary
An experimental aircraft with adjustable wing sweep was build to test the optimal wing configuration for the new fighter. It has two fuselage tanks.
Illustration Uwe W. Jack collection
The first layout of the Messerschmitt P 1101 with the air intakes for the jet engine in the wing roots.
The P 1101 was shipped to the United States. All attempts to repair the aircraft failed due to the damage it had sustained.
Bell built two aircraft based on the P1101. However, these could adjust the angle of their wings in flight. This provided valuable insights for future aircraft.
You will find the story of the  Messerschmitt Me P 1101 with many photos, drawings, and technical details in the fourth issue of the “Aerospace History Files” series. A publication that should not be missed by anyone interested in the Luftwaffe or aviation technology.
5 Photos : U.S. Air Force Illustration Uwe W. Jack collection Illustration Uwe W. Jack collection
The prototype X-5 took off for the first time on June 20, 1951, and the second aircraft on December 10, 1951. During a flight, the second X-5 crashed on October 14, 1953, with the test pilot losing his life. The program was terminated in 1955 after about 200 flights.
Fitted with a mock-up of the German jet engine He S 011, the P 1101 was photographed by the U.S. Air Force.
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