When the Me 262 Jet First Intercepted B-17 Formations — And Changed Air War Forever

November 2, 1944. At an altitude of 25,000 feet above Osnabrück, Germany. First Lieutenant Edward Gleason examined crystal autumn the sky from your position on the main B-17 of the 91st bombing groups, observing through acquaintances silhouettes of German fighters. That which he saw, contradicted everything that he knew about air war.

 Two planes were approaching from heights 10:00, but they moved from incredible speed, overcoming distance over 500 mph, which is 150 miles /h faster than any which fighter, with what he ever was encountered. None propellers, none engines, only smooth arrow-shaped shapes wings that looked as if they got into the magazine science fiction.

Before Gleason could cry out warning, main plane opened fire. Four 30 mm cannons shells hit the B-17 ahead of him, and bomber just fell apart. Not beaten in the ordinary understanding, and literally torn apart apart, transformed from aircraft weighing 65,000 pounds per cloud aluminum fragments and fire in less than 2 seconds.

Jet fighter , because that’s exactly what he is should have been, passed by past the formation yes fast, that tail shooters barely managed it to track without saying about the shooting. Then he disappeared, dispersing from at a speed that did persecution impossible. Gleason watched him disappears into the distance, his the mind tried to comprehend what he just saw it.

 This is not it should have been possible. Jet aircraft were theoretical, experimental, years before the war deployment. But here was one of them, and he just destroyed a B-17 with with such ease that testified that American air superiority, built in 2 years brutal battles and staggering losses , just became outdated.

 Messerschmitt Me 262, the first in the world operative jet fighter , entered the battle, and nothing will no longer be the same earlier. History entry of the Me 262 into armament inseparable from stories of collapse Nazi Germany. Until autumn 1944 Third Reich was dying. In the east Soviet armies advanced to Poland. In the west allied troops advanced to the German border.

Above the Reich American and British bombers almost with impunity flew, systematically destroying what left over from German industry. Luftwaffe, once upon a time the most terrible air force in world, there were only a shadow of the past himself. Fuel shortage suspended flights airplanes. Experienced pilots died or were injured.

Training programs collapsed under the burden of constant battles. New pilots arrived at the front with less than 100 hours, confronting to Allied aviators, who had ten times more experience. In this desperate situation, the Me-262 appeared , so advanced the weapon that it represented technological jump, equivalent transition from biplanes to modern fighters for one step.

 The plane that had revolutionize dogfight, arose not in despair, but in foresight. In 1938 year when most air forces of the world still flying on biplane, engineer Messerschmitt Voldemar Voigt started work on the project 1065, high-speed research an aircraft equipped with new turbojet engines that developed by BMW and Junkers.

 Willie himself Messerschmitt was tuned skeptically. Reactive the planes were unverified, complex and changeable. But Voigt, realizing that piston engines approaching the limit their capabilities, insisted on his own. The result was a plane that is not at all was similar to conventional fighters. The wings were swept back at 18.

5 °–revolutionary constructive feature that delayed the start compressibility effects at high speed. The engines were installed in in the cells under the wings, what held them together weight close to center line, while facilitating technical maintenance and replacement. Three-wheeled chassis, radical for German planes, provided great for pilots visibility during taxiing and takeoff.

When the Me 262 first took off 18 April 1941, equipped with one jet engine BMW 003, it was already outdated. BMW engine did not provide sufficient traction that forced Messerschmitt install normal Junkers piston engine Jumo 210 in the bow parts for the following test flights. Hybrid Me 262 V1 with piston with an engine in the bow part and jet engine was in the tail clumsy a compromise that convinced many observers in imperfections of the whole concepts.

 All changed July 18, 1942 year, when the pilot- tester Fritz Wendel raised his air Me 262 V3, equipped with two turbojet Junkers Jumo 004 engines. The transformation was Instant and striking. The plane accelerated to 540 mph in horizontal flight, which is 120 miles/ an hour faster than best piston fighters. Its speed of ascent exceeded 3900 feet per minute.

 On He was 100 feet tall. mph faster than anything they could to expose allies. Wendel’s report on the test was euphoric. Plane excellently managed on at all speeds. Management feedback wonderful even on maximum speed. Acceleration is not similar nothing that I ever- felt something. It not an evolution of existing ones fighters.

 It revolution. Adolf Galland, most famous German as- fighter and general the Jagdfliger, commander fighter troops Luftwaffe, for the first time flew a Me 262 May 22, 1943. Its the reaction will be legendary. Having climbed out from the cockpit, Galland immediately called to Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering. “This plane, —said Galland, — will give us an advantage at least a year over to everyone who can to make allies.

 It like flying with an engine rockets. It’s like “the angels are pushing.” Galland immediately understood what it means Me 262. In the hands experienced pilots this plane could to restore on your own German superiority in in the air. One Me 262 could attack formation bombers, destroy several planes and escape, before the fighters Allied escort will have time react.

Maximum aircraft speed 540 miles/hour did interception ordinary fighters practically impossible . But recognition The potential of the Me 262 was not enough. Production and deployment required resources, industrial capacity and time. All of these were goods, which Nazi Germany is increasingly more was missing. Acceptance process decisions that had doom the Me program 262, began with of the highest level German management.

 2 November 1943 Adolf Hitler personally inspected the Me 262 in Insterburg. That which should have been triumphal demonstration German technological advantages, instead became the beginning catastrophic delays. Watching airplane flights, Hitler put, it would seem simple question: “Can This plane is carrying bombs. “? Engineers Messerschmitt, trying to please, assured him that maybe.

 Although the plane was designed as clean interceptor, Hitler, possessed offensive actions and retribution for bombing allies, immediately stated that the Me 262 would be built as fast bomber, blitz bomber, and not as a fighter. It the only solution, due to advantage Hitler’s offensive weapons over defensive, delayed the entry of the Me 262 into meaningful combat actions almost a year.

 Plane had to modify for carrying bombs. Pilots had to be retrained for ground attacks. Tactics had to rewrite. And all this in the same time bombers allies continued systematic destruction of the German industry. Galland and others commanders fighters are hot protested. The Luftwaffe clashed with existential crisis. American heavy bombers, accompanied long-range fighters, appeared over Germany in formations of 1000 airplanes and more.

Luftwaffe weekly lost hundreds fighters, losses, which it could not fill in. Germany I didn’t need it yet. one attack aircraft. Her a weapon was needed, which could interrupt streams bombers, to regain the advantage in air and stop systematic destruction of the German military products .

 The Me 262 as a fighter could do exactly that. Me 262 like a bomber was a waste revolutionary technologies. Debate lasted for winter of 1943 and spring 1944, taking away the time that There was no Germany. Aircraft production moved forward, but slowly, slowing down bombings factories by allies and chronic critically in short supply important materials.

Junkers Jumo 004 engines needed rare metals, such as nickel and cobalt, for blades turbine. Because of the blockade supply allies of these materials was discontinued, and German engineers were forced to replace their lower quality materials that are sharply shortened the term engine services. Jumo 004 had a term of service only 25 hours, before than required replacement, compared to hundreds hours for regular piston engines.

Production of Me itself 262 was enormous difficulties. The plane required precise production methods, which surpassed everything that Germany tried to do in mass production . Every reactive the engine contained thousands precisely machined details that had to approach alone one with the allowances that were measured thousandths inch.

 Any deviation could lead to catastrophic breakdowns. Arrow-shaped wings demanded special devices and tools. Airtight cabin needed specialized sealing materials. And all this in Germany, where industrial production collapsed under the weight of the bombings allies. Americans and the British, realizing that German factories produce revolutionary weapon, made production aircraft power priority goals .

 Massive raids on Schweinfurt, Regensburg and others industrial centers were specially designed for to paralyze German aircraft construction. Production capacity Me 262 repeatedly were bombed. Workers who could to build airplanes, in return repaired bomb damage or died during raids. Critically important machines were destroyed or damaged.

Transport networks, which would have to move components between factories, were destroyed. On that one time like Hitler partially yielded to his demand for fast bombers in June 1944, allowing to build some Me 262 as fighters, Germany lost irreplaceable time. First operative jet unit fighters, Erprobungskommando 262, was formed only in April 1944, more than 2 years after successful test airplane flights.

Test Command 262 Hauptmann commanded Werner Thierfelder, a veteran pilot who was entrusted develop a combat tactics for the plane, who behaved badly , as before. Curve The training was cool. and deadly. Jet planes are not were guided as piston fighters. Engines need it was time to to unwind, and this meant that the pilots had to to anticipate changes throttle valve.

High speed the plane is extremely complicated shooting with deviation. Arrow-shaped wings demonstrated a strange behavior at low levels speeds. Landing demanded precise speed control, because the engines were slow to react on the action of the throttle dampers. In the first weeks unit lost more planes through emergency, than because of enemy actions.

 25 July 1944 Me 262 got his first confirmed destruction when Lieutenant Alfred Schreiber knocked down British reconnaissance aircraft Mosquito near Munich. “Mosquito”, one of the fastest piston aircraft in the world, capable of developing speed 425 mph, was just ahead of schedule and destroyed. In combat Schreiber’s report was noted almost the comical lightness of the fight.

I accelerated for interception. An enemy plane was flying at maximum speed, but I it seemed that he stands still. I located behind, opened fire on distance 500 m and observed numerous blows. Plane caught fire and fell. The pilot had none. opportunities to dodge . This is an unfair fight. To September 1944 was enough delivered Me 262 for formation first operative fighter unit, “Team Novotny”, named in honor of him commander, major Walter Nowotny, one of the most successful aces Germany with 258 victories.

 Novotny, veteran of the Eastern front, which previously encountered overwhelming forces , understood the potential of Me 262 and its limitations. Jet aircraft were fast and heavily armed, but they were also nightmares for service. Jumo 004 engines required careful handling. Sharp throttle movements the flaps could to bring to a halt compressor or blade failures turbines.

 Engines consumed fuel from stunning speed, providing the aircraft flight duration less than an hour, and his never been enough. Team Novotny started operations with Akhmer airfields and Hesepe in October 1944 year, exactly when American daytime campaign bombings reached its apogee. Eight air force sent raids 1000 heavy bombers in escort 500 fighters, aiming for that left over from German oil production, aircraft factories and transport infrastructure.

Against these massive Novotny formations had maybe a dozen combat Me 262 in any what a day, and even less experienced pilots, trained to manage them. Tactical the challenges were huge. The Me 262 was fast, but not maneuverable. Its heavy load on the wing meant that he could not to turn around together with the usual fighters.

 Its the engines responded slowly, what was it doing combat maneuvers on low speeds dangerous, and he was vulnerable during takeoff and landing, when he had to reduce speed to the usual ones, and he could have been caught fighters allies. Americans quickly learned to place fighters nearby known Me 262 bases, catching planes when those were the most vulnerable.

Despite these difficulties when Me 262 engaged in hostilities with formations bombers, the results were devastating. Airplane nose four 30mm MK cannons 108, weapons are much more powerful than machine guns, installed on fighters allies. One 30 mm the projectile contained 85 g high explosives , it is enough that destroy the fighter or maim bomber.

 MK 108 shot with speed 650 shots on a minute for a cannon, releasing 2600 shots per minute of all four species weapons. Every projectile weighed 330 g and flew with at a speed of 540 m/s a second. Against heavy bombers, intended for absorption damage from machine guns of the 50th caliber, 30 mm shells MK 108 were catastrophic.

One hit could to break a spar wings, destroy the engine or blow up fuel tanks. IN German reports on the test was It is estimated that in average of three up to five 30 mm hits there were shells enough for B-17 destruction compared to 20 or more hits 20- mm guns or hundreds of hits from 50-caliber weapons. Attack profile, developed by commando Novotny, used speed of the Me 262, minimizing the impact defensive fire.

Jet aircraft positioned ahead of the flow bombers, flying by on that the very height or a little higher. When bombers approaching, Me 262 accelerated to 500 mph and carried out a frontal flight over formation. Convergence speed between reactive by plane flying from at a speed of 500 miles per hour, and bombers that flew from at a speed of 180 miles per hour, was over 680 mph, approximately 1000 feet per second.

This gave the shooters bombers less than 3 seconds to to record, track and open fire on to the attacking aircraft, which it was almost an impossible task . For pilots jet aircraft the attack window was just as short. At speed approaching 1000 feet behind second the whole attack lasted seconds. The pilots opened fire at a distance of 600 m, approximately 2000 feet, and departed for distance of 200 m, so that avoid a collision.

For this short period of time they released from 50 to 80 shots fired, hoping that some of them will hit the target. High speed made a rapprochement precise aiming almost impossible, but destructive force of 30 mm shells meant that even a few hits could destroy bomber. Those, who survived the attacks Me 262, describe this the experience is horrible.

Jet aircraft appeared without warning, moving so fast, that they seemed to materialized from from nowhere. Simultaneous shot four created guns characteristic sound, quick knock hammers, which crews bombers learned to be afraid. Then the reactive the plane was flying by past, often even before like shooters managed to open fire, and dispersed at a speed that did persecution impossible.

Technical Sergeant George Collar, bullet shooter turrets on the B-17 of the 398th bombing groups, October 7, 1944 year was attacked Me 262. We were above Magdeburg on at an altitude of 24,000 feet, when someone called bandits on high 12:00. I looked up. through the scope and saw them two silver figures that swooped down on us.

They were not like aircraft. They were similar to balls. None propellers, nothing, only these smooth figures that flew from impossible speed . Main jet the plane opened fire, and I saw tracers, but they were not similar to normal tracers. They were bigger, brighter, moved faster. B-17 ahead of us got several hits. I saw the wing separated from fuselage, simple came off, as if was made of paper.

 Then the fuselage collapsed. All this, from the first shot until complete destruction, took about 2 seconds. I tried. track jet plane in his turret, but he flew too fast. While I had time to define it location, he was already somewhere in somewhere else. Then he passed by us and disappeared, accelerating. Our P-51 escorts tried to pursue him, but they didn’t have no hope.

 Plane just moved away from them, as if they stood still. Exactly then I realized that we encountered something new, with something to do we had no answer. Psychological impact on the crew American bombers was immediate and deep. For they are two years old encountered a Focke-Wulf 190 and Messerschmitt 109, deadly opponents, but which they understood.

Fighters, what are they? could see to which could prepare, from which they could to defend oneself massive defense firepower. The planes were different. They appeared without warning, struck with devastating by force and disappeared, before it was possible to apply defensive measures. Crews bombers started reporting about meeting with what they called silver bullets or ” [ __ ]”, slang for reactive robots, airplanes, which, seemed to be thrown a challenge to physics.

Moral spirit, and without that tense months of losses and awareness of the fact that that every mission can to be theirs last, started break. Some the crews refused to fly, in others physical developed symptoms of stress before flights. The appearance of even one Me 262 could break targets formation, because pilots resorted to evasive maneuvers.

American reaction was immediate and multifaceted. On- first, it was changed escort tactics. P-51 Mustang fighters were placed layers above, below and around the formation bombers, and special squadrons had task to monitor by airplanes. Second, the search was intensified fighters over known Me 262 bases. If the planes couldn’t to be defeated in in the air, they were caught on land.

 Thirdly, reconnaissance efforts were focused on identifying production capacities for airplanes and seats basing for priority bombings. To November 1944 intelligence network allies identified most places Me 262 works. Airfields Ahmer, Heselpe, Rheine, Lechfeld and The park was taken under permanent observation. American P-47 and P-51 fighters started patrolling these bases, waiting for takeoff or landing of the Me 262, catching them when they were the most vulnerable.

 8 November 1944 became the darkest good day for the team Novotny. The Major himself Walter Nowotny was beaten American fighters during attempts to land in Hespe after collision with bombers. Circumstance remain controversial. Some sources claim, that he was hit by a P-51 during the event on landing when its Me 262 was slow and vulnerable.

 Others assume that mechanical breakdown led to the loss power that made it easy target. Undoubtedly that loss Novotny, national hero with 258 victories, became a crushing blow to moral spirit Germans and according to the program Me 262. After death Novotno’s team Novotny was temporarily disbanded, and the rest airplanes and pilots distributed between other departments.

But the Me 262 program continued and even accelerated, because German leadership finally realized that jet fighter was not miraculous a weapon capable of change the result war, but it was the only weapon that gave any hope to slow down bombing Allied campaigns. IN December 1944 was a new one has been formed the unit that became synonymous with Me 262 and demonstrated how destructive potential airplane, and inability Germany his use.

 Hunting Association 44 or JV 44 commanded not who else but Adolf Galland, who was removed from office Jagdflieger general after disputes with Goering regarding fighter tactics and the use of the Me 262. Galland collected veterans unit- aces, fighters from hundreds of victories, and gave them the best available equipment , modified and optimized Me 262 on based on lessons, received during operations team Novotny.

 JV 44 was formed at that time, when the situation Germany was hopeless. Soviet armies invaded Poland and Prussia. Allied the troops recovered from the Ardennes offensive and advanced to the Rhine. German cities turned into ruins through 24/7 bombing. Oil production shrunk, leaving the Luftwaffe barely enough fuel for training new pilots, not speaking of conducting long-term operations.

 In this to the dying Reich ace unit Galland, equipped jet planes , had to change situation. Reality consisted in the fact that even having advanced technologies and experienced pilots, JV 44 could not change the result war. They had, maybe 20 combat Me 262 at the same time. American raids consisted of 1000 bombers. Even if everyone jet plane destroyed bomber on each mission, and they they didn’t do this, Americans don’t care.

would fulfill their missions and returned the next day with in greater quantity aircraft than Germany could knock down. Nevertheless, JV 44 demonstrated, on What is the Me 262 capable of? in the hands of experts. Between March and May 1945 year unit declared the destruction over 50 aircraft allies that are an impressive number, considering that they made less than 100 combat sorties.

 Himself Galland, flying, despite the injury feet from previous combat injury, declared the destruction at least four B -26 Marauder in skirmishes jet aircraft with bombers. The tactics that used JV 44, was polished and brutally effective. Instead of frontal passages that used previous reactive units, pilots Galland developed dive attack top and back.

 Me 262 climbed to altitude of 30,000 feet, positioned ahead of the flow bombers, then dived from speed that was approaching 600 mph, shooting from guns carefully with aimed bursts, before stopping and move away. Dive attack decided several problems. She maximized advantage of the Me 262 in speed, doing interception escort fighters practically impossible .

 She provided more time for achieving the goal than frontal passages, and allowed to attack more vulnerable upper surfaces bombers. Standard profile attacks developed by JV 44, began with dive jet plane with altitude of 30,000 feet, increasing speed up to 550 mph. On 2000 feet above sea level formation bombers the pilot rolled over upside down, came out on a sharp corner dive, captured the target and opened fire on altitude of 800 m.

 Four 30- mm guns, firing synchronously, fired on the target explosive shells for 2-3 seconds. Then the pilot was driving up, using excellent handling Me 262 on high speed to to make a turn from climbing, which brought him out formation and distanced himself from him, outside the limits reachability defensive fire and out of reach escort fighters.

Influence on formation bombers was devastating. Connection of four Me 262, which performed coordinated dive attacks, could destroy several bombers for one pass, and then to escape before it was possible apply effective countermeasures. First Lieutenant William Scanlon, piloting a B-17 402nd Bombardment groups during the raid on Munich in April 1945 year, watched by JV 44.

 We were on at an altitude of 26,000 feet, in about 20 minutes from the target when a signal sounded: ” Jet planes on height 6 hours. I looked around and saw their. Four silver figures high above us, maybe for 30,000 feet. They spinning like sharks, waiting for the right one moment. Then they turned over and have fallen.

 I never I didn’t see anything. was moving so fast. They didn’t fly, they fell like meteors. Main jet the plane opened fire on B-17 to the right of us. I saw the blows. along the whole fuselage, large flashes, much stronger than hitting machine gun. Tail bomber just broke away, separated from fuselage, as if someone cut it with a saw.

Then the wing folded, and the whole plane started to wander. The other three jet planes hit others bombers. All this happened in about 10 seconds . Four bombers were simply destroyed Yes. Then the reactive The planes arrived and They left. Our P-51 escorts tried to pursue them, but it was even close. Reactive airplanes just dispersed and disappeared. We do nothing.

could do. Our the shooters don’t even could track them. They were too fast, too high, too high for everyone. That’s when I realized, why was everyone afraid of these things. There was fear. justified. Between November 1944 and May 1945 Me 262 were found guilty of more than 509 destroyed Allied aircraft. Although this number is controversial and, probably includes exaggeration, common to all air forces.

What is certain is that the Me 262 reached a much higher correlation destructions to losses than ordinary German fighters. Despite the fact that it was deployed in a small amount and he acted in impossible conditions. But the numbers themselves are not cover the effects of the Me 262. Jet plane forced the allies to contribute fundamental changes in tactics bombings and support procedures.

Connection bombers had to fly higher to to reduce time, necessary jet aircraft to prepare attacks. Fighter escorts should have been specially allocated for observation of jet planes . It was necessary increase the number fighter flights above the bases jet aircraft. All this consumed resources and attention that otherwise there were would be focused on destruction of German ground forces and industrial capacities.

 Me 262 also represented psychological weapon. His very presence, even possibility of it appearance, influenced the Allied operations. Crews bombers, who learned accept the risks of attacks ordinary fighters, faced with a new fear. Sudden the appearance of the plane, from which they did not have protection. Silver bullet, which appeared without warning, with easily destroyed bombers and disappeared before someone could have reacted.

German propaganda ruthlessly used success of the Me 262. Newsreel showed reactive aircraft in action, their streamlined shapes split the sky, and announcer voices proclaimed them a weapon that will change the course of the war. Reality , which propaganda does not could change, consisted in the fact that Germany lacked industrial capacities, fuel and trained pilots, to use potential of the Me 262.

At the end of the war German factories released approximately 1400 Me 262, which is impressive quantity, considering the circumstances , but only about 200 participated in combat operations. Rest were on airfields without fuel or in factories where there was not enough engines or components. Many of they were destroyed bombings allies before they could be delivered.

Those who have achieved operative divisions, encountered chronic problems operational suitability. Engines Jumo 004 needed replacement every 25 hours, what was impossible load on technical service. Pilots, even experienced aces, needed thorough preparation to master unique characteristics controllability jet plane. Preparation, which would require fuel, Germany didn’t have one.

 To April 1945, when Allied armies occupied Germany, Me 262 units were forced to fly from autobahns, and Hitler’s highways were used as improvised takeoff -landing strips. Fuel was measured liters, not thousands of gallons. Pilots were often the surviving aces, with hundreds of missions, opposing American pilots with no less impressive results, flying on airplanes, which, although slower, were available in the majority .

 Latest missions Me 262 units at the end of April and in early May 1945 years were useless exercises. They rose in air, entered into battle with formations allies, perhaps destroyed one or two airplanes, and then landed and found that their the base was captured or their stocks fuel is exhausted. JV 44 made his the last battle departure May 1, 1945 .

 Galland, again wounded in battle against P-47, surrendered his unit American to the troops on May 3. War in Europe ended in 5 days. In the post-war military analysis historians and aviation experts intensively studied Me 262. The question that everyone was asking, it was: what, if? What if Hitler did not insist on variant bomber? What, if production was a priority earlier? What if there were more planes deployed in 1943 or at the beginning of 1944, to how the advantage allies in the air became absolute? Historians agree that although a larger number of Me 262

could have done earlier to inflict greater losses bombers allies, she is not could change the result of the war. Strategic Germany’s situation was hopeless. No tactical air superiority is not could compensate predominant material and human superiority, which had allies. But “what if” scenario remains convincing, because Me 262 demonstrated such a clear advantage over by their contemporaries.

American test pilots who flew on captured Me 262 after wars, were unanimous in their assessment. Reactive the plane was revolutionary. Colonel Harold Watson, who flew on numerous captured German planes for technical evaluation, described his first flight on the Me 262, which flew on the Me 262, not similar to nothing that I experienced before.

The acceleration was extraordinary. You are not threw back in chairs, you pressed back. By a few seconds you moved from at a speed of 200 miles per hour, and the plane just continued accelerate. On How high was it? incredible. I overclocked it to 540 mph in horizontal flight, and he still dispersed. I could fly faster, but I was bothered problems with management, about which we heard. The plane is great.

guided by high speed. The crane was wonderful. He was not especially maneuverable on low speeds, but at high speed was extremely agile. I did diving pass against the target, imitating attack bomber, and the plane behaved impeccably. I immediately understood why our crews bombers were so afraid of this things. During diving attack on speed 550 mph could be impressed target and disappear, before than anyone will notice, What are you doing there? We couldn’t catch up with him on the P-51 or P-47.

 Damn it, we couldn’t even to see him half the time to attacks. British reached similar conclusions. Captain Eric Brown, pilot- tester Royal Navy, who flew on a larger number of types planes than anyone in history, considered Me 262 one of the most important of the planes he ever flew tried something. Me 262 ahead of his time for 30 years.

Arrow-shaped wings, jet engines, flying characteristics are everything it was in it revolutionary. He well managed, was quick and forgiving pilot errors that it was impressive, considering it perfection. If the Germans were able expand it into in large quantities in 1943, it would really made our job very difficult bombing campaign.

Technological Me 262 innovations influenced the development reactive fighters during decades. Construction sagittal everyone copied the wings next jet destroyer. Engine placement in the underwings gondolas became standard for many twin-engine jet aircraft. Bow armament with four heavy cannons affected choice of weapons fighters during for many years.

 But, apparently, most important The influence of the Me 262 was psychological. He demonstrated that jet motion is not only viable, but also represents the future of aviation. The plane that surrendered science fiction in 1944, became template for post-war fighter development . Within 5 years each big air force developed or deployed jets fighters.

 Me 262 also taught important lessons about reactive combat, which formed tactics reactive era. The importance of speed over maneuverability, vulnerability jet aircraft during takeoff and landings, the need for longer runways runways and different strategies basing, difficulties shooting with deviation on high speed. All these lessons, obtained in battles over Germany in 1944 and 1945 years, will be used in Korea, Vietnam and everyone next conflict .

 For men who collided with an Me 262 in battle, this experience remained bright for decades later. At meetings crews bombers conversation is inevitable returned to jet aircraft. Veterans who could discuss attacks ordinary fighters with professional detachment, became gloomy, remembering the Me 262, silver the balls that appeared without notice.

Characteristic sound four 30 mm guns, who fired in unison, helpless feeling observation of the like a jet plane is speeding away, announcing the persecution, announcing the retaliation. First Lieutenant John Giardi, the shooter on B- 17, who survived the attack Me 262 in March 1945, recalled this experience in interview from 1990.

 « I am asked what me the most It was scary during the war. They expect me to I will say: anti-aircraft artillery, conventional fighters or cold high-flying, but honest answer—reactive aircraft. With everything else in You had a chance. You could see fighters that are approaching, your the shooters could shoot at them, your the pilot could resort to evasive maneuver.

 WITH jet planes you had nothing. They appeared, attacked, left, and that’s it it’s in the blink of an eye. You couldn’t have them. could not track They couldn’t be impressed. avoid them. You just hoped, that you are not the one they chose.” “I saw the B-17 get one hit from jet plane, one hit, and the whole tailpiece came off.

The bomber fell. directly, and no one got out. One hits from these guns —and you were dead. We joked that if you saw a jet plane, you’re already dead, you just haven’t done it yet knew. German pilots who flew on Me 262, were proud of it by plane, recognizing the futility of their own efforts. Lieutenant Colonel Franz Stigler, who flew like normal fighters, as well as jet planes.

during the war, proposed perspective in post-war interview. The Me 262 was the best a fighter jet on which I have never flown, but I flew on everything that was in the Luftwaffe. He was fast, powerful , and when you pressed on the trigger and these four the guns were fired , everything you hit, was being destroyed.

 But we got it too too late, too late small quantity, with too small the amount of fuel and too little time. I made 12 flights on a Me 262 in April 1945 year. I declared about the destruction of three B-17s and one P-51. Then The war is over. If we got the Me 262 in large quantities in 1943, maybe 500 maybe 1000 planes, with fuel, ammunition and trained pilots, the result would be to others. Not a victory.

Germany at that time already lost the war. But we could make bombing campaign so much the way that the allies could change their minds. We could shoot down hundreds, perhaps thousands bombers. But 200 planes, scattered around Germany, barely having enough fuel for flight, faced with 1000… bombers simultaneously.

 We were only a nuisance, nothing more. By road , elegant a nuisance. Economic value The Me 262 program was stunning. On construction of each the plane was needed approximately 30,000 people three times the hours more than on construction ordinary fighter. Only engines consumed resources that can be would be to achieve, having built dozens piston engines.

Specialized materials, rare metals, precision production equipment –all this in conditions, when the economy collapses under bombings allies. Some historians claim that Germany would have better build thousands of ordinary fighters than hundreds of jets airplanes. This numerical the advantage could be more effective than technological perfection.

Counterargument is that to 1944 numerical the advantage was impossible for Germany. Production allies so much exceeded German capabilities, that construction more quantity ordinary fighters just would provide more goals. Me 262 at least offered possibility, even though remote, in order to so that individual planes had a significant impact.

One Me 262, which led by an experienced pilot, theoretically could destroy several bombers for one mission, for what would be useful dozens of ordinary fighters. The legacy of the Me 262 goes beyond… his fighting track record. He represented climax technological perfection Nazi Germany and the futility of this perfection before face material inferiority.

Germany could design and build the most modern in world fighter, but could not produce him in sufficient quantity, to provide sufficient fuel or teach enough pilots, to make it decisive. Jet plane became a symbol too small and too late. Revolutionary technology, deployed when the war has already happened lost.

 Weapons that could change history, if there was one presented earlier, but showed up on time just so that create notes for defeats. For the allies pilots who collided with him, Me 262 represented a glimpse of the future . The future, where speed and fire rate power will dominate in air warfare. Lessons learned from battles against jet aircraft over Germany, influenced the development allied jets aircraft in the post-war period.

American F-86 Sabre, British Gloster Meteor and the Soviet MiG-15, first generation allied jets aircraft, all included constructive features and tactical lessons, obtained from the study of Me 262. Ultimately, 2 November 1944, in the day the Me 262 first flew intercepted…Connection B-17s that were in forces, marked turning moment not in World War II the war that has already happened resolved, but in history air battles.

 Age piston fighters ended. Reactive began era. People who opposed the Me 262 over Germany, were witnesses of the future air battles, future speed, destructive firepower, attacks that took place too fast to human reflexes could resist them. Over the decade all the big air would have the strength use jet fighters . Within two decades of reactive airplanes would become universal.

Fighters from propeller engines , which dominated in in the sky from 1939 to 1945, would become obsolete wonders thanks to smooth silver plane from sagittal wings and engines, which were not issued no noise from screws, only characteristic high the whistle that the crews bombers learned to be afraid. Me 262 forever changed air war.

 That, that he could not change the result World War II war, says more about strategic the situation in Germany, than about possibilities airplane. For others circumstances, with greater amount of time, more resources, in greater quantity fuel, more number of pilots, Me 262 could become a weapon , which forced… To the Allies fundamentally review yours strategy bombings.

 But history did not allow such luxury. Jet plane arrived when Germany already lost, him deployed militarily -air force, which died, piloted pilots who knew that They fight only for time and pride. And yet, despite everything, despite futility and inevitability defeat, Me 262 achieved of what was intended its designers. He destroyed bombers.

He terrified the crews allies. He demonstrated future. For that short one period from November 1944 to May 1945 year sky above Germany belonged to not massive B-17 and B-24 formations, not by swarms of P-51 and P-47, but few, very few silver planes, which appeared without warning, struck with devastating force and disappeared in the sky, leaving only memory of that characteristic sound guns and burning debris bombers, which are too late learned that the rules air war changed forever.

The history of individual Me 262 pilots and their meetings with formations bombers allies reveals the human dimension of this technological revolution. They are not were faceless. warriors who managed by cars, but experienced pilots, many of which were aces with hundreds victories that flew on the plane so much perfect, that, seemed to belong to of another era.

Oberleutnant Heinz Ber, one of the most successful aces Germany with 220 victories, passed on the Me 262 in early 1945 year. His first combat mission on this reactive aircraft, executed 19 March vs. B-17 formation near Munich, demonstrated how destructive potential airplane, and incredible difficulties, encountered its pilots.

 Combat Behr’s report that stored in German archives, contains impressive details. Flew from Munich-Rome at 13:47 from three planes. Climbed to 32,000 feet in about 8 minutes, what is the typing speed height, impossible for ordinary fighters. Noticed enemy formation with about 40 heavy bombers under the fighters on altitude of 26,000 feet.

Took a position ahead of formation and launched an attack diving from a height 32,000 feet. Accelerated to about 850 feet. km/h. The chosen target, main bomber second echelon. Opened fire on 600 m above sea level four MK 108 guns. Observed numerous hits on target. Left the wing came off near the root. Plane entered into a sharp corkscrew.

 No parachutes observed. Removed from the attack. Climbed to a height of 28 000 feet, using excess speed. Fighter escorts opponent tried to pursue, but not were able to achieve speed of lifting. Moved for second attack. Dived in formation with altitude of 28,000 feet. Selected target in tail echelon. Opened fire on altitude of 500 m.

 Observation strikes on the fuselage and right wing. Engine caught fire. Bomber left the ranks. Spent ammunition . Returned to base. Landing at 2:26 p.m. Time Flight time 39 minutes. It is claimed that two B-17s were destroyed. What is a clinical report? Bera doesn’t transfer, yes these are extraordinary what he achieved. Less than 40 minutes he destroyed two heavy bombers, each with a crew of 10 persons, each of whom carried thousands of pounds of bombs, intended for German cities.

 He did it, faced with dozens escort fighters, which was specially tasked with preventing such attacks. And he returned to base unharmed, his the plane almost did not injured. IN ordinary fighters like this the mission would be impossible. Escort fighters would intercept him to how he would achieve bombers. Even if he managed to attack, destruction of two bombers would require a long a fight that would endanger him at risk defensive fire and interception fighters.

 Me 262 changed everything. Its speed did interception almost impossible. Its firepower meant that short there were fights deadly. Its speed of ascent allowed to escape after the attack. But Behr’s success and success other pilots jet aircraft masked the gloominess reality. For each successful mission fell on the mission when mechanical malfunctions led to airplane stops where fuel shortage interfered with takeoff when Allied fighters caught planes during their vulnerable takeoff or landing.

Exhaustion level units of the Me 262 was not amazing due to combat losses, although they happened, and through emergency situations, mechanical malfunctions and chaos operation advanced aircraft in in combat conditions. Lieutenant Fritz Muller, pilot from Takeoff Squadron No. 7, one of the few fully operational Me 262, led personally a diary that survived the war.

 Its records for March and April 1945 are painting a picture disappointment and futility. March 12 at 9:20 took off to intercept formation bombers, about which reported above lock. During takeoff sounded engine failure, The flight is interrupted. The plane was towed. back for dispersion. Spare engine no. March 14 rose into the air at 11:45.

 Reached height 30 000 feet, noticed bombers, began the attack. Engine number two stalled lost power, was forced interrupt the attack and return. Lucky return. 18 March, finally, successful mission. Intercepted the formation B-24 nearby Frankfurt. Destroyed one bomber , maybe two. Both the engines were running ideally. Safely landed.

 First successful mission in 2 weeks. March 22 climbed three times in air. First time enemy fighters over the field, could not It’s safe to take off. Took off for the second time. Number One Engine failed at altitude 15 000 feet. Landed on one engine. Third attempt, both the engines are running, climbed to a height interception, targets I didn’t find it.

 Fuel exhausted, returned to base. Three flights, zero result. March 28, This is madness. We have, maybe 15 workers airplanes. Americans sending 1000 bombers. Even if each of we are being beaten by two bombers for mission, but we don’t we do, they don’t care will fulfill their mission and will return tomorrow with more number of aircraft.

 We We don’t fight, we do. gestures. April 2 Hartmann died today. Its caught a P-51 during landing approach. They waited for him to will become slow, vulnerable, and then shot him on pieces. He was 47. victories, survived 4 years of war, died, landing on to the plane that would have to make it invincible. 9 April we received message that that appropriation fuel again are decreasing.

Maybe we are now we fly once a day, maybe not even time. War is over, we just haven’t recognized it yet this. Entries in Miller’s diary reflected the reality of what propaganda could not… hide. The Me 262 was a perfect weapon, but it existed in system that was destroyed. Advanced technologies meant nothing without fuel, without spares parts, without experienced ground crews crews, without logistic infrastructure, which demanded modern war.

 Reaction Allies on Me 262 developed rapidly, because they gained experience fight against jet planes . Initial panic gave way systematic analysis. Officers intelligence officers interrogated each crew bomber, who encountered jet planes . Records from cannons cameras studied the frame behind the scenes. Were analyzed captured Germans documents.

 Gradually loomed picture of possibilities Me 262 and that most importantly, his vulnerabilities. The vulnerability on which concentrated planners allies, was dependence jet plane from long takeoffs landing strips and its bad acceleration on low speeds. Unlike piston fighters that could act with crossed fields and to accelerate quickly even at low speeds, Me 262 demanded smooth, long runways landing strips and time to set speed.

 This did takeoffs and landings for long periods vulnerabilities. In January 1945 Eighth air force started the operation ” Chattanooga Choo Choo”— systematic campaign with placing fighter patrols over known Me…262 bases. P-51 and P-47 takeoff revolved around Me 262 airfields on medium height, waiting for takeoff or jet landing airplanes.

 When appeared reactive plane, several fighters dived at him, catching him while he was slow and vulnerable. The effectiveness of this tactics was demonstrated 7 April 1945, when P- 51 357th Fighter Squadron groups intercepted Me 262 Jagdgeschwader 7 aviation over with its base in Parchim . Captain Charles “Chuck” The hunter, who later became the first pilot, who overcame sound barrier, led the takeoff from four Mustangs, who were patrolling airfield when the Me 262 started returning from combat mission.

 IN Jaeger’s combat report described the battle with characteristic accuracy . Watched five Me 262 according to the landing pattern at the Parchim airfield at approximately 3:20 p.m. The planes were at an altitude of 1,500 feet. I turned off the transmission, slowed down for landings. Took off in attack from a height of 8000 feet.

 Elect the following plane. The plane opened fire. at a distance of 400 yards, approaching 200 yards. Observed strikes on the fuselage and left engine. The engine exploded, The plane crashed. reaching the runway landing strip. Planes number two and the third in my squadrons destroyed one Me 262 during landing approach. Number four damaged one Me 262, which crashed during landings.

 Total four Me 262s destroyed, one is damaged, losses on our part no. Less than 5 minutes squadron Jaeger destroyed four Me 262 and damaged fifth. Not thanks to advantage or technologies, and thanks to the tactics that used operational aircraft vulnerabilities. Psychological impact on the Me 262 pilots was destructive.

 They could to dominate high altitude, but their bases became killing zones. Every takeoff and landing were potentially deadly. German command tried to use various countermeasures. They placed conventional fighters near bases jet aircraft for cover during takeoffs and landings. They equipped the fields for Me 262 heavy anti-aircraft batteries.

They tried disperse the planes in different places. Nothing worked. successively. IN there were allies too many fighters , too much intelligence data , too many resources. For every German the countermeasure was the allies’ response. Desperation situation in Germany became apparent in some tactical events, proposed for using the Me 262.

 In February 1945 seriously considered plan to arm the Me 262 Werfergranate 21 rockets, unguided weapons with 40-pound warheads that should be launched on formations bombers from- outside the defense zone guns. Theory consisted in the fact that explosions in dense formations bombers will destroy several airplanes or, at least they will break it forming, making their easier targets.

It was held sprat test flights. Results were catastrophic . Heavy, aerodynamically rough missiles seriously worsened characteristics of the Me 262. They created resistance, which reduced speed and shooting range. They were extremely inaccurate, missing by formation goals bombers on range of 1000 m. And they demanded that jet plane flew straight and horizontally under shooting time, what exactly made him vulnerable to attacks fighters.

 After several missions that are not led to none confirmed the shooting down of a plane, and one Me 262, lost escort fighters during the missile launch attacks, the program was quietly abandoned. Yet more desperate there was an offer develop… piloted version V-1 flying bomb, according to essentially piloted a cruise missile, which launched Me 262 against bombing formations.

 Pilot pointed the weapon at formation, and then ejected into the last moment. This program that received the name Reichenberg, actually advanced to the test flights before was canceled. That which such offers seriously were considered, showed how much became desperate German planners. They have was the most modern in world fighter, but they tried turn it into weapon delivery vehicle suicide bomber.

Traditional approach, using the Me 262 as clean interceptor with built-in cannon armament, remained the most effective tactics. But even it was being blown up worsening conditions. To April 1945 there was fuel so little that some Me 262 units were completely stopped. Aircraft stood in camouflage dispersions, fully armed and ready to fly, but could not fly, because there was no fuel.

The pilots sat in rooms for preparation, watching in the footsteps bombers allies over head, without having able to intercept, because their planes were stopped. The disappointment was unbearable. One anonymous pilot, found in captured German documents, expressed bitter irony. We have the best fighter in the world.

 We have experienced pilots, who know how to do it use. We have there are mechanics who can support him in flight, no matter what. IN We have no fuel. So we are sitting here, we observe how The enemy is bombing our cities, we observe by inversion footprints in the sky, and we can’t do anything do. Americans not even are trying attack our airfield.

 They know that we do not constitute threats. We are like chained tiger, deadly, but harmless. That’s it. Germany is dying, not from lack of courage, skills or technologies, and from the lack of gasoline. « Recent weeks Me 262 combat operations were characterized isolated actions a small amount aircraft against prevailing aviation allies.

 Individual pilots who flew alone or in pairs, intercepted bombing formation from hundreds planes, destroyed one or two bombers and, if they were lucky, were running away. These were not military operations in to someone significant meaning. These were gestures, demonstration of what Germany still had advanced weapons and qualified pilots, even if the war has already happened lost.

 One of recent significant Me 262 fought 10 battles April 1945, when jet planes Jagdgeschwader 7 was intercepted formation of over 300 B-17s that attacked Berlin. In spite of strong support and worsening weather, German planes managed to shoot down eight bombers, but the price was high . Three Me 262s were lost due to escort fighters , two more crashed due to refusals engines.

 One pilot died during landing, when it The plane took off. damaged runway landing strip. Eight bombers was destroyed at the price six jets airplanes and two pilots. For any by what standards, it was unstable exchange rate course. Mathematical reality was “such…” is inevitable. Germany was losing. , lost territory, wasting resources, lost people.

 Me 262 couldn’t change that. Nothing could. To last week April 1945 Me 262 operations actually stopped . The rest of the planes destroyed their own crews to prevent capture , abandoned when the bases were captured, or left scattered throughout Germany without fuel and time. Surrender Adolf Galland Hunting Association 44 American to the troops on May 3, 1945 year marked actual end combat operations of the Me 262.

Galland, wounded and exhausted, passed the rest of his planes unit, perhaps, a dozen flying jet aircraft, American intelligence officers, which barely held back my passion for receiving integers samples of German miracle weapons. Interrogation Galland and others Me 262 pilots provided to the allies detailed information about opportunities, restrictions and tactical lessons, received in 6 months combat operations.

 These interrogations, combined with technical inspection hijacked planes, had a significant impact on development of jets fighters allies at once after the war. American Engineers were especially amazed by the simplicity Me 262 designs, considering it advanced design . In spite of revolutionism, the plane used relatively traditional construction methods, what was mass doing production possible if available resources.

Engine design, although simple later standards, was effective and could be made without exotic materials, although at the price of a very short service life. Soviet troops, advancing from the east, captured several production capacities of the Me 262 and a significant amount unfinished airplanes. There were transported to Soviet Union, where them intensively studied.

 Received knowledge contributed Soviet programs reactive fighters, although Soviet power developed their own designs, not just copied German plane. The British who developed their own jet fighters in parallel with Germany, were interested in the first queue in comparison of his approach with German. Gloster Meteor, first combat jet fighter Britain, entered the armament in July 1944 year, although he had limited combat application, mainly against V-1 flying bombs.

Meteor and Me 262 comparison found interesting differences in philosophy designing. British jet plane used direct wings and engines with centrifugal flow , more conservative the approach that provided reliability priority above the maximum productivity. German Jet the plane used swept wings and axial engines, more perfect a structure that offered the best high-speed characteristics, but was less reliable and more difficult in production.

 IN post-war aviation analysis experts argued , what was the approach better. British the design was safer and more reliable. German the design was faster and more perfect. The consensus that emerged , consisted in the fact that for 1944 and 1945 Germany’s approach was correct for their strategic situations. They need was maximum productivity, so compensate numerical inequality.

Reliability, although desired, was secondary compared to ability intercept and destroy bombers. Britain and America, having a numerical preference and not facing existential threat, could prioritize reliability and safety. They could to afford to elaborate jet aircraft, by testing them thoroughly, agreeing to lower productivity in exchange for planes that wouldn’t kill theirs own pilots through mechanical breakdowns.

 Germany is not could afford none of these luxuries . Human losses Me 262 programs remain difficult for accurate counting. It is confirmed that approximately 100 German pilots died on the Me 262, although actual quantity could be higher. These deaths occurred due to fighting actions, accidents, mechanical breakdowns and the chaos of war.

recent months. Many experienced The aces died, flying on jet aircraft, those who have survived the years battles on conventional fighters, but died because of engine failures, explosions in the air or were affected fighters allies during vulnerable measures on landing. Losses allies from Me 262 better documented. Generally recognized The number is that that Me 262 was destroyed approximately 509 aircraft allies.

 Although, as mentioned earlier, this number is controversial. Some historians claim , which is a real number was smaller, perhaps, from 300 to 350 confirmed beatings. Others assume that it is could be higher, but some victories are not were recorded in chaos of decay Germany. It is certain that correlation killed and casualties significantly surpassed jet planes.

Even for conservative estimated that the Me 262 achieved about three to five destructions for each lost plane in air- air combat, compared with approximately one to one for ordinary German fighters that encountered opponents Allies in 1944 and 1945 years. It the ratio was would be even higher if mechanical malfunctions and accidents were excluded from loss calculation.

 IN clean air- air combat, when jet planes functioned properly, and The pilots survived. That attack the enemy aircraft, the Me 262 was devastatingly effective. But the efficiency in tactical battles not could compensate strategic impossibility. On that one the time when the Me 262 arrived at armament in significant quantities, Germany already lost the war.

No weapon, no matter what she is not advanced was, could not change this fundamental reality. Discussions regarding whether it could previously deployed Me 262 change result wars, occupy historians for decades. The consensus is because even though earlier the deployment caused would have greater losses bombers allies, it is not would force the Allies to refuse its strategic bombing campaigns.

The most optimistic German script, deployment 500 landing aircraft on Me 262 until mid-1943 year with sufficient amount of fuel and trained pilots, could increase losses bombers allies approximately from 5% per mission to, maybe 10-15% per mission. It would be painful and could force temporarily suspend certain deep raids penetration.

 But allies demonstrated readiness to agree to a very high losses for achievement strategic goals. Raid on Schweinfurt in October 1943 led to significant reduction of losses. 20%, however bombing campaign continued. What else more importantly, deployment of the Me 262 in 1943 year would require from Germany’s mother in 1943 year that she barely had in 1944.

Reliable jet engines, sufficient fuel reserves, long runways strips, trained pilots and industrial capacity for mass production complex aircraft under permanent bombings allies. These conditions did not exist in 1943, and they got worse until 1944. The Me 262 was deployed late not only because of bad solutions, although they, certainly contributed this.

 He was deployed late, because Germany lacked resources and industrial capacities for it early deployment . Technological legacy of the Me 262 went far beyond the limits of his combat experience. Everyone jet fighter with arrowhead wing, designed after 1945, was indebted to something German jet plane. American planes, such as the F-86 Sabre, Soviet aircraft, such as the MiG-15, British planes, such as Hawker Hunter, all included constructive features, launched by the Me 262.

Configuration sagittal wings, first designed for effects delays compressibility on high speed, became the standard for transonic and… Supersonic aircraft. Underwing gondola engine that used Me 262 for convenience maintenance and engine replacement, was accepted on countless quantities twin-engine jet aircraft. Bow armament with guns, grouped around center line aircraft, affected the armament fighters during decades.

 Even three-wheeled chassis, controversial on the moment of development of the Me 262, became universal for reactive airplanes. Lessons, obtained from operations Me 262, formed jet tactics fighters for next generation air war. The importance of speed over maneuverability in reactive combat, vulnerability jet aircraft during takeoff and landings, the need for longer runways runways and improved infrastructure basing, problems high-speed shootings and shootings with deviation, advantages of diving attacks that maximize speed advantage,

-all these lessons, obtained in battles over Germany in 1944 and 1945 years, were used by pilots reactive fighters in Korea, where are the American F-86s Sabre faced with Soviet MiG-15s in the first in history air combat jet plane against reactive airplane. Psychological impact Me 262 on those with him collided, remained strong decades after war.

 Veterans about offensive bombers over Germany would remember these planes with a mixture of fear and reluctant respect. They collided with a Focke-Wulf 190 and Messerschmitt 109, deadly opponents who killed thousands of them comrades, but conventional fighters were opponents, which they understood, aircraft operating under the same physical laws and tactical framework, as well as their own escort aircraft.

 Me 262 was different. He appeared itself quantum jump in possibilities, which made existing tactical framework outdated. During a short period, from November 1944 to May 1945 year, crews bombers Allies clashed with the enemy, against which they did not have effective protection, escaping only a small amount aircraft that appeared, and worsening conditions, which they acted.

Lieutenant James O’Brien, navigator on a B-17 , who made 35 flights over Germany, he said about these planes in interview from 1988. IN every flight we faced death. Flak could have killed you. Fighters could have you kill. Mechanical breakdown could you kill. The weather could to kill you. You took it as part of…work.

 But with reactive everything was by airplane otherwise. With everything else you felt a certain freedom of action, certain CONTROL. You could to resort to maneuvers to avoid anti-aircraft fire. Yours the shooters could give repulse the fighters. You could take care of damaged engine . With reactive you don’t have planes There was nothing.

 If they chose your plane, you died. It It was that simple. The only hope was that they will choose someone another. I saw jet planes four times during of your team. Three times from these times they attacked by others planes in our ranks , not us. Once one attacked us. We got hit in wing and fuselage 30 mm shells.

 Second The pilot was injured. We lost two engines, but returned. Jet plane, who hit us, disappeared in a matter of seconds, dispersed, as if we stood still. Our the shooters don’t even could it track. It feeling helplessness stayed with me for years. German pilots who flew on Me 262, others had memoirs. For them jet plane symbolized not horror, and disappointment.

Disappointment due to what they had better weapon, but not there were enough resources for its effective using. Disappointment because of… watching how theirs is being destroyed country, sitting in rooms for preparation without fuel. Disappointment from their futility efforts, destruction one or two bombers, while hundreds of others did their job missions.

 Oberst Johannes Steinhoff, who commanded Jagdgeschwader 7 and survived war, despite severe burns in an accident Me 262 during takeoff, recalled this experience in their post-war memoirs. Flight to Me 262 was similar to how get a machine gun, when everyone around has sticks, but you have only three bullets. Yes, you you can easily kill three opponents, but there are 100 opponents, and after you you will fire three shots, You are helpless.

 Such was our situation. IN we were the best fighter in the world, but we had them not enough, not enough fuel, not enough time . Every mission seemed useless. You knocked down bomber, maybe two, and felt a moment pleasure. Then you looked up and saw another 100 and you knew it was It doesn’t matter. Nothing from what we did, not enough anymore value.

 War ended. We just did it their duties, fought. because that’s exactly what they do soldiers, not because we believed it was something will change. This feeling futility, feeling the futility of fighting using advanced weapons in lost cause became widespread a topic in post-war pilots’ stories Me 262. They were proud with their planes and with their achievements, but admitted that were participants doomed to failure efforts.

 Technical analysis of Me 262 after war revealed how impressive engineering achievements, and significant limitations that combat experience is not fully revealed. The Jumo 004 engine, although was revolutionary, had fundamental disadvantages. His term 25 hours of service was not only as a result shortage of materials, that forced use worse alloys.

 Even with proper basic materials small design restrictions that would prevent her from achieving over 50-100 hours between capital repairs. Axial compressor, although more effective than centrifugal designs, also was more inclined to blade vibrations, surges and damage outsiders objects. Camera design combustion created hot spots that shortened the term blade services turbines.

 System fuel management was primitive, that required from pilots slow switching throttles to prevent compressor stop. Modern jets engines with a term services that measured in thousands …The clock has reached its reliability thanks to decades development and improvements that Germans just don’t managed to finish. The Me 262 glider was more successful.

 Basic the design was strong, and sagittal wing design turned out aerodynamically effective. However the plane had features that made flights difficult . Slow reaction engine on throttle damper complicated speed control during landing. Nose pitch moment down when flaps were produced , demanded constant trimmer adjustment. Tendency to roll left during takeoff through a twister The engine torque was clearly expressed.

 It were not fatal disadvantages, but they demanded skills and the pilot’s attention to critical stages flight, which contributed high level accidents during training. Armament, four 30mm MK cannons 108, it was devastating effective at achieving hits, but low initial speed only 540 m/s made it difficult to accurately aiming at high speed rapprochement.

 Many Me 262 pilots reported that they had to to approach dangerously short distances, from 200 to 300 m to ensure hit, because slow-moving shells extremely complicated shooting with deviation on greater distances. This short range collision increased their vulnerability to defensive fire and reduced the time, available for attack.

German the designers admitted this is a limitation and developed a 50-mm MK 214 cannon with higher initial speed for installation on Me 262, but war ended before how did it work out realize. Post-war analysis showed that the ideal armament for the Me 262 there would be four 20mm MG 151 guns with their upper primary at a speed of 800 m/s, sacrificing some destructive force for the better ballistics and more ammunition.

 20 mm the cannon would allow to fire on longer distances and would provide more shells for long-lasting fire. But for the desperate circumstances of 1944 and 1945 years German the designers provided priority maximum destructive effect on one hit, considering that the pilots of Me 262 will have only one short opportunity shooting, and you need was to make it valuable.

 Final evaluation of the Me 262 as a system weapons should balance it impressive possibilities from his operational restrictions and the context in which it was deployed. How clean interceptor, which attacks the formation bombers in attacks of the “attack” type and escape”, the Me 262 was extremely effective. Its speed allowed intercept escort fighters . difficult.

 Its firepower was devastating. Its flight range and flight duration, although limited, were sufficient for defense operations over Germany. Against other fighters characteristics of the Me 262 were more ambiguous. IN in the hands of experienced pilots who understood its strengths, jet plane could dominate, using arrow tactics and scaling, diving from a height onto high speed, doing one fire escape, and then using your speed for escape before enemy fighters will have time react.

 But if forced to turn around low altitude, Me 262 was vulnerable. Its heavy weight and large load on wing meant that he could not to turn around from lighter, more maneuverable ordinary fighters. Pilots the allies understood, what if they can to force reactive plane to enter battle at low speed and low altitude, they will be able to do it to win.

 The problem for pilots there were allies creating such conditions against the enemy, which was 150 miles away/ hour faster and could just give up from the fight, accelerating. Final historical verdict regarding the Me 262 is because it was revolutionary aircraft, which appeared too too late and too late small quantity, so that to influence the result of the war.

 He demonstrated that jet engine is viable for combat aircraft, and provided the template for the post-war fighter development . He caused significant losses bombers allies and forced change tactics and Allied operations. This ensured Germany short technical period advantages in one a small aspect the war they were losing comprehensively in all other dimensions.

The Me 262 did not save and could save Germany from defeat, but he changed forever air war, having demonstrated, that the future belongs to jet aircraft, what speed will surpass maneuverability, which swept wings necessary for high-speed flight, which is difficult cannon armament effective against large airplanes. Within 5 years after graduation these lessons of war were taken into account in structures reactive fighters by all over the world.

 Age screw fighters ended. Me 262 him killed. Today a few surviving Me 262 are in museums all over the world. Restored copies can be to see in National Museum aviation and space Smithsonian institute in Washington, The German Museum in Munich, Museums Royal Air Force in London and several other institutions. Little reproductions of the Me 262 were built and flown in the last decade that gives modern audience opportunity to see jet plane in flight and understand, Why was he so afraid? and respected.

 These Museum artifacts and flying reproductions serve as a reminder about the key moment in aviation history. The moment when one technology, piston engines and propellers, gave way other–reactive I’m moving. The moment when nature of the air fight radically changed. Moment, when the speed became more important than maneuverability.

 Moment, when the impossible became possible routine. For men who flew on the Me 262, as for those who piloted it, and for those who have encountered with him in battle, jet plane symbolized different things. For German pilots it was a weapon , which appeared too late. Ideas about what could have been, if circumstances turned out differently.

 For Allied pilots are was a terrible enemy, who made their previous combat experience is outdated, forcing them develop a new one tactics and new ways of thinking about air war. For historians and aviation enthusiasts he remains one of the most important airplanes, ever built, revolutionary a design that changed everything that was after him.

 First interception of Me 262 B-17 combat formations 2 November 1944 marked the beginning end of the air combat with propellers engines. From that day on future of the military aviation belonged to jet aircraft. Bombers that flew in the sky Germany at the end 1944 and early 1945 years, were the last generations of aircraft, who encountered enemy with whom theoretically could to fight on equal terms.

Jet aircraft that attacked them, presented a new Era, era, where is the speed? and technology created a predominant advantage. For decades each large military the state received jet fighters . Within two decades of reactive airplanes became universal on front line. Fighters from propellers, which dominated the sky World War II wars, were sent to training services, and then to the museums.

 AND all this thanks to elegant plane with arrowhead wing and engines, who whistled, not roars that moved too fast for them it was possible track which 30 mm were driven shells, fired from a cannon, which seemed to never missed. Me 262 changed forever air war. That, that he could not save Germany from defeat, there is a note to it revolutionary influence on the history of aviation.