The Messerschmitt Me-262 was the world's first operational jet fighter in 1944. It was powered by a pair of Junkers Jumo 004B Orkan engines rated at 1980 lb st each with a speed of 540 mph- 100 mph faster than any Allied piston fighter and 200 mph faster than the bombers. It was armed with 4x 30mm MK-108 cannon and also 24x 55mm R4M unguided rockets (12 per wing). It had swept back wings of 37o. Although 1433 were produced, only around 300+ made it to several combat units and of those only 140 ever saw combat (due to accidents or lack of fuel). The 140 shot down 509 Allied aircraft of all types including bombers, fighters, recon, and marauding strike aircraft. It was also one of only two German Mossie-killers (the other one being the He-219 Uhu). An impressive machine, it was taken by all the victorious Allies and postwar axial-flow turbojets became common along with captured German ATA missile technology and swept wings, revolver cannon, ejection seats, etc... Please forgive me for using the incorrect US term ME in the lyrics to refer to the Bf 109 piston fighter. Experten again refers to the German top aces (over 10 kills each) and Revi refers to the sight.

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