science · 18 July 1942 · 82 years ago
In 1942, Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe, Germany's first operational jet fighter, takes first flight. The Me262 surprised the Allies with its speed advantage - around 100 or more miles per hour. Although it could still be intercepted by Allied piston-engine fighters, when the Nazi jet was at speed it could escape an enemy. However, introduced near the end of World War II, and with limited numbers available, the Me 262 had limited effect on the progress of the war.
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