The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed Schwalbe (German for "Swallow") in fighter versions, or Sturmvogel ("Storm Bird") in fighter-bomber versions, is a fighter aircraft and fighter-bomber that was designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt.

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.

The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. Its initial conception actually predates World War II, but problems with the engines delayed its Luftwaffe service until mid-1944. The aircraft’s design was perhaps …

Feb 6, 2019 · Entering service in April 1944, the Me 262 was used in two primary roles. The Me 262 A-1a "Schwalbe" (Swallow) was developed as a defensive interceptor while the Me 262 A-2a "Sturmvogel" (Stormbird) was created as a fighter-bomber. The Stormbird variant was designed at Hitler's insistence.

Small numbers of Me 262 fighters and fighter bombers were used operationally by the Luftwaffe from mid 1944. The Me262 was the only jet fighter to see air-to-air combat in World War Two and its appearance was a great shock to the Allies.

The Me 262 is often referred to as a "swept wing" design as the production aircraft had a small, but significant leading edge sweep of 18.5° which likely provided an advantage by increasing the critical Mach number.

Dec 16, 2014 · The Me-262 that the Luftwaffe accepted was a single-seat, low-wing monoplane, with sharply swept back wings, a single tail, and powered by two Jumbo turbo-jet units. It had maximum speeds of 515 mph at 1,640 feet; 530 mph at 10,000 feet; 540 mph at 20,000 feet; and, 550 mph at 30,000 feet.

The Messerschmitt ME-262 was the most important secret weapon of the Luftwaffe in their efforts of air combat superiority. Although often vewed as a last ditch super weapon, the Me 262 was already being developed as project P.1065 before the start of WWII.

Luftwaffe pilots claimed six lorries and seven Soviet aircraft, but three German jets were lost. On the evening of 27 April, thirty-six Me 262s from JG 7, III.KG (J)6 and KJ (J)54 were sent against Soviet forces that were attacking German troops in the forests north-east of Baruth.

Mar 9, 2023 · In 1944, the Luftwaffe began adapting the Me 262 for anti-bomber and air-to-ground operations, replacing the cannons with 24 unguided folding-fin R4M rockets.