Royal Air Force- 2nd Tactical Air Force, 1943-1945. CL1648

The Messerschmitt Me.262 was a jet-powered fighter developed by Germany during the Second World War. It was the world's first operational jet fighter. The Me.262 was designed as a high-speed interceptor, capable of intercepting and destroying Allied bombers. The Me.262 was powered by two Junkers Jumo 004 turbojet engines, giving it a top speed of around 870 km/h (540 mph). It was armed with four 30mm MK 108 cannons mounted in the nose of the aircraft. The Me.262 first flew in April 1941, but it was not until July 1944 that it entered service with the German Luftwaffe. By this time, however, the war was turning against Germany and the Me.262 was too little, too late to make a significant difference. Despite its late arrival, the Me.262 was a formidable aircraft. Faster and more manoeuvrable than any other fighter of its time, it posed a serious threat to Allied bombers. However, it suffered from a number of technical problems and was difficult to maintain and repair in the field. Overall, the Messerschmitt Me.262 was an impressive technological achievement, but it was unable to turn the tide of the war in Germany's favour. Nevertheless, it paved the way for the development of modern jet aircraft, and its legacy can still be seen in many of today's fighter jets.