The first in an exceptional four part work covering the design, development and operational history of the Messerschmitt Me 262, the world's first operational military jet aircraft. Internationally acclaimed authors J. Richard Smith and Eddie J. Creek have drawn on more than thirty years of detailed and unrivalled research. Here for the first time, is the full story of the concept, design, troubled development and contested operational deployment of possibly one of the most enigmatic war machines ever built. The book details the disputes, emnity and bitterness that the project provoked among the Nazi political, military and aviation hierarchy along the development process, right to the eventual appearance of the first aircraft with the Luftwaffe's first operational jet trials units.The story is complemented by a portrait of the early life and accomplishments of Willy Messerschmitt as well as a detailed study of the early and pioneering German work in the field of turbojet engine design and development.The book is heavily illustrated with close on 300 photographs, many never published before, together with more than 50 high-precision technical scale drawings of the Me 262 prototype aircraft, wing and undercarriage design and projected developments plus 20 full colour interpretations, detailed appendices covering camouflage and markings and biographies of many of the personalities associated with the design and testing of this aircraft.