Only extant Blitz of 224 built on display with HWK 109-500 Starthilfe pods at NASM Udvar-Hazy since 1989 after extensive restoration. The world's first jet bomber and recce aircraft flew on 15 Jun 1943, taking off from a jettisonable trolley and landing on skids. III./KG 76 commenced Ar-234 operations with attacks on Liège and Namuron 24 Dec 1944, flying its final missions near Berlin, Lübeck and Bremervörde in Apr-May 1945. This Blitz flew with 8./KG 76. It was flown to Sola by W. Kriessmann at end of war and captured by the British. Kriessmann visited his former aircraft twice at NASM.

Sole surviving example of the world's first jet bomber. The aircraft carries Walter rocket-assisted take-off bottles on the outer wings.

The Ar-234 Blitz was the first operational jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. It's first combat mission, a reccie over the Allied beachhead in Normandy, took place on 2nd August, 1944. Although less famous than the Me-262, the Ar-234s that reached Luftwaffe units provided excellent service. On display at the Udvar-Hazy Center, this is the sole surviving Ar 234 B-2 and served with bomber unit KG76 from Dec. 1944 to May 1945 when British forces captured it in Norway.

This exceptional exhibit is the only remaining example of the world's first operational jet-powered bomber. Although some 210 were built in the late stages of WWII, few entered service; those that did proved almost impossible to intercept. Behind is the similarly extraordinary Dornier 335

The only surviving example of the world's first jet bomber. The aircraft carries Walter rocket-assisted take-off bottles on the outer wings.