The Me 262 Stormbird: From the Pilots Who Flew, Fought and Survived It    by Colin Heaton & Anne-Marie Lewis Order:  USA  Can Zenith Press, 2012 (2012) Hardcover Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Bob Walch If you are interested in military aviation, World War II or the history of the jet fighter plane, this book is a must read. The first viable jet-powered aircraft, the German Me 262 was on the drawing boards before World War II but it was plagued with technological problems. The revolutionary propulsion system presented many problems that had to be overcome. Because of these difficulties it took about five years to get the aircraft combat ready and even then it was a challenge to fly. Nevertheless, when it did enter combat, the Me 262 downed over a dozen Allied planes in limited use and was considered a serious threat. Fortunately, there weren't enough of the revolutionary planes or pilots to fly them to change the course of the war at that point in late 1944. Told largely in the words of the German pilots who flew it, this volume charts the history of the Me 262 Stormbird from its inception to its introduction into combat. Over forty black and white photos illustrate the narrative along with two diagrams of the plane. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews