A replica of the German Me262 World War Two jet fighter flying at the 2023 Royal International Air Tattoo

The Messerschmitt Me 262, nicknamed Schwalbe (German: "Swallow") in fighter versions, or Sturmvogel (German: "Storm Bird") in fighter-bomber versions, is a fighter aircraft and fighter-bomber that was designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Messerschmitt. It was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter aircraft. The Me 262 Project is a company formed to build flyable reproductions of the Messerschmitt Me 262, the world's first operational jet fighter. The project was started by the Texas Airplane Factory and administered by Classic Fighter Industries. It is based at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, United States, near Seattle. The project team of designers, engineers, and technicians completed the flight test program in 2012 and delivery of the first of five jets. The aircraft are powered by General Electric CJ610 turbojet engines, concealed inside detailed reproductions of the original Junkers Jumo 004B engines and nacelles. Five aircraft were built: Me 262B-1c W.Nr.501241 reg.N262AZ Collings Foundation, Stow, Massachusetts, US, in flying condition. First replica to fly, 20 December 2002. Me 262B-1c W.Nr.501242 Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, Oregon, US, on static museum display. In the markings of an aircraft of Jadgeschwader 7 (11/JG-7) based at Brandenburg-Briest, flown by Leutnant Alfred Ambs. Me 262A/B-1c W.Nr.501243 reg.N262MF Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Virginia, US, in airworthy condition. Me 262A/B-1c W.Nr.501244 reg.D-IMTT Messerschmitt Stiftung, Manching, Germany, in airworthy condition. Me 262A-1c W.Nr.501245 Lone Star Flight Museum, Houston, Texas. "White 1" first flown in 2002. The aircraft shown is the German one