The Me 262 was the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. The design of what would become the Me 262 began in 1939. It first flew in 1942 and became operational in mid-1944. It was faster and better armed than any Allied aircraft. In 1944, an Me 262 shot down a British Mosquito flying over Munich, making it the first jet airplane to be used in combat.
According to the National Museum of the United States Air Force:
Developed from a 1938 design by the Messerschmitt company, the Me 262 Schwalbe was the world's first operational turbojet aircraft. First flown under jet power on July 18, 1942, it proved much faster than conventional airplanes. Development problems (particularly its temperamental engines), Allied bombings and cautious Luftwaffe leadership contributed to delays in quantity production.
On July 25, 1944, an Me 262 became the first jet airplane used in combat when it attacked a British photo-reconnaissance Mosquito flying over Munich. As a fighter, the German jet scored heavily against Allied bomber formations. U.S. Army Air Forces bombers, however, destroyed hundreds of Me 262s on the ground. Of the more than 1,400 Me 262s produced, fewer than 300 saw combat. Most Me 262s did not make it to operational units because of the destruction of Germany's surface transportation system. Many of those that did were unable to fly because of lack of fuel, spare parts or trained pilots.
According to the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum:
“Most Me 262s were fighters and they shot down more than 500 aircraft. Others were fighter bombers or reconnaissance variants.”
The Me 262 has a top speed of 560 mph, a range of 650 miles, and a ceiling of 37,570 feet. While more than 1,400 Me 262s were produced, few than 300 actually saw combat. Hundreds were destroyed on the ground by U.S. Army Air Force bombers and many did not fly because of lack of fuel and of trained pilots.
This aircraft has a maximum speed of 540 mph, a cruising speed of 460 mph, a range of 650 miles, and a ceiling of 38,000 feet.
Shown below are some of the Swallows exhibited in a few aircraft museums.
National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio
Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum, Everett, Washington
The Me 262 on display in the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum was built as a reconnaissance aircraft and had two large cameras in its nose.
Notice the drip pads under the engine.
Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon
This aircraft is a replica.
