The Messerschmitt Me 262B night fighter was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft and "the only jet fighter to see air-to-air combat in World War Two". Although design began before World War II, it never made its maiden jet-powered flight until July 1942 because progress was delayed by problems with engines, metallurgy, and interference from Luftwaffe chief Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler. The aircraft, operational in mid-1944 was faster and more heavily armed than any Allied fighter and proved effective against Allied fighters.
A Messerschmitt Me 262B night fighter with FuG 218 Neptun antennae in the nose and second seat for a radar operator. The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft and "the only jet fighter to see air-to-air combat in World War Two". Although design began before World War II, it never made its maiden jet-powered flight until July 1942 because progress was delayed by problems with engines, metallurgy, and interference from Luftwaffe chief Hermann Göring and Adolf Hitler. The German leader demanded that the Me 262, conceived as a defensive interceptor, be redesigned as ground-attack/bomber aircraft. The aircraft, operational with the Luftwaffe in mid-1944 was faster and more heavily armed than any Allied fighter and proved effective against Allied fighters with German pilots claimed 542 Allied aircraft were shot down. Of 1,400 planes produced, less than a hundred Me 262s were in a combat-ready condition at any one time.
Size: 3211px × 2227px
Location: Germany
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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