The first new Me-262 to be built in 57 years flew on 20 December. A reproduction of the famous Nazi fighter intended for air shows, the aircraft flew for 30 minutes without raising its landing gear. Further test flights are in progress. The aircraft is powered by two General Electric J85 turbojets and is not intended for supersonic flight. The original engines were very unreliable because jet engine technology was in its infancy. --Stephen V Cole