"Cub Driver" wrote in message
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As has already been pointed out the Meteor entered squadron
service BEFORE the Me-262

That's true. But did the Meteor ever DO anything? Clearly the Me-262
saw
actual combat service, downing and being downed in large-ish numbers.

I agree with Charles. If the criterion is first, then the Bell P-59A
beat the Meteor and is the revolutionary aircraft.


If the criterion is first to fly then the Germans flew the first aircraft
followed by the Gloster E28/39, on 15. May 1941, from Cranwell
and the Meteor and Vampire in 1943

The Bell P-59A didnt make its first flight until October 1942
and used a General Electric Model 1-A, an improved version
of the "Whittle" engine

Its a matter of record that the first jet aircraft to enter squadron
service was the Gloster Meteor with 616 Squadron on July 12 1944

The Me-262 changed warfare utterly. I think everyone who saw that
plane in action, or who even heard about it, knew that the future
would not be the same as the recent past. That's what revolutionary
means.

Sticking the Meteor in there is like all the arguments that arise
trying to prove that the Wright brothers didn't bring the world into
the age of flight, or that Columbus didn't "discover" America. It's
just national pride, or plain cussedness that won't accept the
judgment of history.


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Keith