Me-262 SchwalbeMesserschmitt Me 262 airplane model. The Me 262 "Schwalbe," developed from a 1938 Messerschmitt design, was the worlds first operational turbojet aircraft. Taking flight as a pure jet in 1942, it outpaced traditional planes with remarkable speed. Despite production delays caused by development challenges, bombings, and cautious leadership, mass production began in late 1943 under Hitlers directive to use it mainly as a fighter bomber. The Me 262 made