Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe

James Ekdahl 🇺🇸

20 Feb 2026 · © Unknown

Aircraft behind and above is a Beechcraft Model 18, which is also of significant historical merit.

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Aircraft

Me 262 Schwalbe ME262

WWII Luftwaffe camo

Airline

Luftwaffe (historic)

Manufacturer

Messerschmitt

Insights

Aviation History

The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world’s first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft, representing a revolutionary leap in aviation technology during WWII.

Fleet Rarity

Very rare, only a handful are preserved worldwide, and only a few remain airworthy.

Record Flights

First operational jet combat missions, also set many jet combat speed records in its era.

Safety & Events

Saw combat in 1944-1945; significant for high speed but limited by reliability and production issues.

Future Outlook

Preserved in museums. The pictured aircraft is a static display.

Specifications

Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet

Engine

12.6 meters

Wingspan

10.6 meters

Length

1,050 km

Range

780 km/h

Speed

1 (pilot) + 2 x 30 mm cannons + 24 x 55mm R4M rockets (fighter configuration)

Capacity

7,130 kg

MTOW

3.5 meters

Height

8.8 kN (1,980 lbf) per engine

Thrust

Unknown (pre-ICAO jet noise standards)

Noise

No modern registration or civil marks, and WWII camouflage makes individual variant confirmation difficult; museum display.