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World War 2

The German Messerschmidt Me-262 was the first jet-powered fighter aircraft to go into operation. The British and the US were building jets but they were not ready to go into combat.

The Messerschmitt (note correct spelling) was the first to see combat, however it wasn't "operational" as such: the first ones were flown by service pilots in an evaluation unit (Erprobungskommando).

The British Gloster Meteor entered service in Spring 1944, followed by the Me 262 that Summer and the American P-80 later on. Meteors were used for intercepting V-1 "Doodlebugs" over the UK rather than being used in Europe, mainly due to a reluctance to having a downed one fall into German hands (the Meteor was, all round, a more mature design and had greater reliability).

The first jet fighter built was the He 178, first flight August 26 1939 - a few days before WWII started, and the German air ministry (RLM) ordered development of jets to be put "on the back burner" as there was no requirement for them envisaged.

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