This World War 2 Tech post was suggested to me by a user on here! If you would like a piece of tech featured please message me! The Me-262 was the worlds first fully operational jet powered aircraft, developed by the German aircraft company Messerschmidt (Hence ME). Production first started before World War 2 but it was met with considerable engine troubles, it got back on its feet during the war (April 1944). The ME-262 was used in a variety of different roles, it served as a night fighter, interceptor, fighter bomber, and a reconnaissance plane. It was powered by 2 jet engines that propelled it up to 560 MPH a hundred miles per hour faster than the P-51. In these roles it performed exceptionally, it was simply one of the most advanced aircraft designs of its day. Although 1430 ME-262's were built only about 200 were operational at one time. The ME-262 first flew in a combat role on the 26th of July 1944, when it damaged a British mosquito bomber. It should be noted that the ME-262 was armed with 4 20mm cannons that could destroy any aircraft, it could be equipped with 30 rockets or 2 bombs for ground attack. It was the first kill of any jet powered aircraft in the entire world. The ME-262 was proficient in destroying allied bombers as the fighter escort (even the amazing P-51) could not keep up with it. ME-262's flew at such a high speed at first allied aircraft had no idea what they were and began becoming spooked when they saw it. The first time a ME-262 was shot down was by 2 P-51 mustangs that dived on a ME-262 that was having engine troubles while trying to escape and restart its engines. Some ME-262's were equipped with sophisticated air radar that served as night fighters that could be guided to there target through well...the radar. These variants were extremely rare with only several ever build and operated, these claimed 13 British bomber kills and were mostly used to defend Berlin towards the end of the war. The ME-262's engines were also used to help forward the V1 and V2 rocket programs that tormented Britain until the end of war. The fighter bomber variants achieved some success but the amount they had could not have any profound effect on the war. Some two seater bomber types were tested but never saw active combat, instead they were used to train pilots. Although the ME-262 was the most advanced fighter aircraft during the war its late introduction (April 1944), fuel shortages, and maintenance problems kept it from being the game changer Hitler wanted it to be. It simply came to late to have any effect on the war what so ever, maybe if he had put more confidence in the project early on the world may have been different, however it did not turn out that way. Today the ME-262 has a surprising number of survivors that can be seen in various museums around the world, many of the aircraft on display were captured by allied forces in there hangars and production facility's. The Me-262's influence on modern design is undeniable and its legacy lives on through all jet powered aircraft of today. In the picture above you can see the holes on the ME-262's nose that contain its cannons, and the 2 Jet engines that propel it. Thanks for reading and as always if you like this stuff feel free to follow me!