Fighting Firsts: Fighter Aircraft Combat Debuts from 1914-1944

This is the often surprising story of combat debut of famous fighter aircraft, from the first victory of an RFC Be2a in 1914 through to the Gloster Meteor and the Messerschmitt Me262 of 1944 - 30 years of fantastic developement in fighter design

With fighter planes it can be as simple as this: those with the better aircraft generally win. Take a look at the fighters and their firsts, from the beginning of air combat in World War One through World War Two's dogfights and blitzkriegs. Some aircraft made their mark immediately; others initially showed less promise but then came through with flying colors. Also center stage are the pilots who worked miracles with their machines and became as famous as the planes they flew.