Throughout the Second World War both the Royal Air Force and the Luftwaffe attempted to produce an effective jet aeroplane. The 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 made its first flight on 15th June, 1943.

The world's first jet bomber had a maximum speed of 461 mph (742 km) and had a range of 1,103 miles (1,775 km). It was 41 ft 5 in (12.63 m) long with a wingspan of 46 ft 3 in (14.10 m). The aircraft was armed with two 20 mm cannons and could carry 3,300 lb (1,500 kg) of bombs.

The Arado AR 234B arrived too late to make an impact on the course of the war. Around two hundred were built and only 38 of them saw action before the end of the Second World War.