Throughout the Second World War both the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe attempted to produce an effective jet aeroplane. Hans Ohain, who was employed by the Ernst Heinkel company, developed the HE 178, but it was not a successful aircraft.

The jet fighter Messerschmitt Me 262 made its first test flight on 25th March, 1942. The following year, the jet bomber, the Arado Ar 234B appeared and first flew on 15th June, 1943.

The Heinkel He 162A did not make its first flight until 6th December, 1944. It was not a success as an under-carriage door came off. Four days later on another test flight it crashed when one of its wings disintegrated. Changes were made and 300 were built but very few saw action before the end of the Second World War.