Designed in 1938, the Me 262 was first flown in 1940 with a Junkers Jumo 211 engine. The airframe proved satisfactory and in 1942 the V-1 and V-2 prototypes flew with two Jumo 004A turbo-jet engines. Only limited interest was then displayed by the Reichsluftministerium. The first prototypes had a conventional landing-gear but a tricycle gear was eventually fitted.

In 1943 the V-6 appeared with two Jumo 004B engines. The V-7 had an experimental pressure cabin. In 1944 the V-9 was completed, and this was the forerunner of the production Me 262A model.

Length (m): 10.6
Height (m): 3.8
Wing Span (m): 12.5
Top Speed: 540 mph
Ceiling (feet): 37,730
Weight (lbs): 15,532
Range: 652 miles
Crew: 1

Four fixed 30 mm MK 108 cannon grouped in the nose and aimed to converge at 400-500 yards. Upper guns have 100 rounds per gun and lower guns 80 rounds per gun. Two external bomb-carriers under the fuselage. Bombload may consist of either two 250 kg (551 lb) or one 500 kg (1,102 lb) bomb.

Twin-jet fighter, fighter-bomber, or reconnaissance airplane.