Arado Ar 234 B-2 Blitz (airborne)

The Arado Ar 234 B Blitz (Lightning) was the world’s first operational jet bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The first Ar 234 combat mission, a reconnaissance flight over the Allied beachhead in Normandy, took place August 2, 1944. With a maximum speed of 735 kilometers (459 miles) per hour, the Blitz easily eluded Allied piston-engine fighters. While less famous than the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters, the Ar 234s that reached Luftwaffe units provided excellent service, especially as reconnaissance aircraft. Wingspan: 14.4 m (47 ft 4 in) Length: 12.6 m (41 ft 6 in) Height: 4.3 m (14 ft 2 in) Weight, empty: 4,900 kg (10,800 lb) Weight, gross: 10,010 kg (22,070 lb) with RATO (rocket-assisted takeoff) units Top speed: 735 km/h (459 mph)