Arado Ar 234 Blitz

28 Apr 2026 · © Unknown

History on display: The sole surviving Arado Ar 234 Blitz—the world’s first operational jet bomber—preserved at the Udvar-Hazy Center.

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Aircraft

Ar 234 Blitz AR234

WWII German Luftwaffe camouflage with Balkenkreuz and Hakenkreuz insignia

140312

Registration

Airline

Not applicable (military)

Manufacturer

Arado

Achievements

Rare Bird, Vintage Voyager, Airbus Aficionado, Military Maverick

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Insights

Aviation History

The Arado Ar 234 was the world’s first operational jet-powered bomber, entering service with the Luftwaffe in 1944. It represented a revolutionary step for its era and is an extremely rare preserved aircraft today.

Fleet Rarity

Extremely rare—only a handful built, and this is the sole surviving complete example (Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Center).

Record Flights

Used for high-speed reconnaissance and some bombing raids late in WWII; the first jet bomber missions in history.

Safety & Events

Deployed in dangerous reconnaissance missions over Allied territory late in WWII; its speed made it difficult to intercept by piston-engined fighters.

Future Outlook

Preserved in museum (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Udvar-Hazy Center).

Specifications

Junkers Jumo 004 turbojets

Engine

14.41 m

Wingspan

12.64 m

Length

1,556 km

Range

735 km/h

Speed

Pilot only (single-seater); designed as a bomber/reconnaissance platform

Capacity

9,804 kg

MTOW

4.29 m

Height

8.8 kN (2,000 lbf) each (Jumo 004B turbojet)

Thrust

N/A (pre-ICAO standards, very noisy early jet)

Noise