Messerschmitt Me 262 Me 262 B-1a

To meet the Luftwaffe's need for a jet-powered trainer, Messerschmitt developed the dual-control Me 262B-1a, similar to the A-1a but with a second seat replacing the rear fuel tank; external tanks were added to make up for the lost range. Only 15 were built. Some were modified into B-1a/U1 night fighters with FuG 218 Neptun radar and two MK 108 plus two MG 151 cannon; the radar antenna cost speed, but the aircraft could still outrun a de Havilland Mosquito. The B-1a/U1's success led to the dedicated B-2a night fighter, with a stretched fuselage, increased fuel capacity and two upward-firing MK 108 cannon in a Schräge Musik mount; only one prototype was completed before the war ended.