This priceless two-seater trainer version was captured intact in Northern Germany and after WWII sent to the Armament Test Division, NAS Patuxent River for tests and evaluation. Later she was used as the template for reverse engineering newbuild machines on the the 'Me-262 Project'. In return she was restored to this immaculate condition and, although the link to Naval aviation may be a little tenuous, I was more than thrilled to see her at the National Naval Aviation Museum.

This full-scale, exact replica was one of six (?) reproduced in the US from the original plans. Pictured here showing off her triangular cross-section and taxying in after her flying display at ILA 2010. It really is quite someting to see a flying Me-262 in 2010!

Bomber Built c.Feb 1945 saw combat with 4/KG(J)51, code 9K+XK, and Gefechtsverband Hogeback 'black X'. Flown to Fassberg at war's end and captured. Flown by the RAF to Farnborough for testing. Allocated RAF serial VP544 / Air Min 81. In 1946 shipped to Australia for the AWM. Displayed at AWM 1955-70, then loaned to the RAAF Museum Point Cook 1970-81. Minor restoration by CAC 1982 & returned to AWM Annexe 1988. On display in these rather dingy surrounds since 2003.

One of the highlights of ILA was to see this beauty, and to see it fly

Starting flight display.

Licence-built version of the Me 262 built by Avia in Czechoslovakia near the end of WW2.

Interesting size comparison with the Gloster Meteor, on the left.

Previously N262MS. This new-build aircraft could not land on the grass but it made several passes

This Schwalbe survived the war, only to be riddled with stupid viewing holes. Come on, Deutsches Museum, please fix her!

This aircraft, which is now preserved in the RAF Museum was kept in a museum at Finningley before being moved to Cosford and then Hendon. It is seen here in Luftwaffe 'Dapple' camoflague carrying the Code X, very different to its current appearance at Hendon.