Messerschmitt 262 Prototype Jet

Early development of the Messerschmitt 262

A German Prototype Jet Interceptor

German Messerschmitt 262 Prototype

Production 262 painted in camouflage colours

The first ever operational jet (Messerschmitt 262A) first flew in 1941, but was not in production until 1943. It had a top speed of 540 mph and was armed with 4 x 30mm cannons in the nose. Able to carry 2 under-slung bombs, it luckily came too later to have a serious effect on the war.