“I first knew of the existence of this aircraft only early in ‘42 – even in my position.”

If we would have had the 262 at our disposal – even with all the delays

As interceptors. And out of this fifty, there were never more than 25 operational. So we had only a very, very few.

As a fighter pilot I know from my own experiences how decisive surprise and luck can be for success

The fighter in the opening of a dogfight must detect the opponent as early as possible in order to attain a superior position for the attack.

Perhaps even more important than being a good pilot; to make the best use of this system.

Of course, the outcome of the war would not have been changed.

And most of these pilots were lost during the first five flights.

According to Goering and the Luftwaffe High Command, they were supposed to be the fighter elite.

Their element is to attack, to track, to hunt, and to destroy the enemy.

Many pilots of the time were the opinion that a fighter pilot in a closed cockpit was an impossible thing, because you should smell the enemy.

Can beat any quantity numerically many times stronger yet technically inferior.

Flying is more than a sport and more than a job

Many to whom the first victory over the opponent has been long denied either by unfortunate circumstances

Tie him to a narrow and confined task, rob him of his initiative, and you take away from him the best and most valuable qualities he posses

It is true to say that the first kill can influence the whole future career of a fighter pilot.

The colossus of World War II seemed to be like a pyramid turned upside down

I asked the colonel what type of aircraft it was, and he said, “Don’t worry about it, Bob. . . if you can see it, it’s obsolete.”

We are like an exquisite high-speed aircraft which for lack of a tiny part is left stranded beside the runway, rendered slower than a tractor or bicycle.

Changing the direction of a large company is like trying to turn an aircraft carrier.

I have a photocopy of it, and I am saying that in production this aircraft could perhaps substitute for three propeller- driven aircraft of the best existing type.

This aircraft didn’t have any priority in design or production.

It’s unbelievable what one squadron of twelve aircraft did to tip the balance.

We have built a total of about 1250 of this aircraft, but only fifty were allowed to be used as fighters

At this time, the aircraft was completely secret.