[Coming soon] Me 262 A-1a/Jabo: The Luftwaffe's First Jet Attack Aircraft

The Big and Medium Trophies contain a German jet fighter-bomber with powerful guns and bombs.

Historical note

Alongside the main production version, the Me 262 A-1a Schwalbe (“Swallow”) served as a pure fighter. An experimental fighter-bomber variant also appeared in operational units. Unofficially known as the Jabo (from the German Jagdbomber), these aircraft retained the A-1a designation but were equipped to carry bombs or anti-tank rockets.

Later, drawing on this experience, a dedicated ground-attack variant was developed: the Me 262 A-2 Sturmvogel (“Petrel”).

Me 262 A-1a/Jabo (Rank IX)

Brief Analysis

Strengths: Powerful nose-mounted armament, ability to carry bombs and rockets, high top speed, and good handling.
Weaknesses: Slow acceleration and a mediocre climb rate.
Role in battle: A versatile strike aircraft suited for both ground attack and aerial combat. Use its speed and strong forward cannons to gain the upper hand in air engagements, then deploy bombs and rockets to support ground forces.

In battle

The upcoming update for War Thunder Mobile introduces a ground-attack variant of the legendary jet fighter, the Me 262 A-1a/Jabo. It will be highly effective against both enemy aircraft and light ground targets.

This season introduces a new variant based on the well-known Me 262 A-1a Schwalbe, long recognized for its speed, maneuverability, precise handling, and devastating nose-mounted battery of four 30 mm autocannons. These defining qualities remain intact in the new modification – the Jabo.

The main difference between the Me 262 A-1a/Jabo and the original fighter variant is its added underwing armament. It can carry bombs, either two 250 kg bombs or one 500 kg bomb, as well as rocket pods: 24 or 48 R4M high-explosive fragmentation rockets, or a pair of Wfr.Gr.21 rockets. This expanded loadout allows pilots to secure air superiority while also delivering effective ground support.

Beyond its new ground-attack capability, the “Schwalbe” remains true to its character. It is a well-balanced aircraft with a high top speed, powerful weaponry, and few major weaknesses. However, like many early jet aircraft, it has relatively low acceleration and a slower rate of fire from its nose-mounted 30 mm cannons. These limitations can make it challenging to lead fast-moving targets crossing your path.

Premium ♠Me 262 A-1a/Jabo♠︎ (Rank IX)

The Premium variant is an extra plane for your roster! The premium warplane maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium warplane you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

Premium version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Big Trophy.
By reaching the top-10 in the relevant Leaderboard.
From the Collector's Trophy after adding the vehicle to this trophy type;
In Special Offers.

Standard version of the vehicle:

As a jackpot or as a random reward when attempting to open the Medium Trophy.
Order vehicles for Silver Lions after collecting 1,000 blueprints.

Ways to get blueprints:

From the Medium Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 10 to 100 pcs per attempt.
From the Big Trophy: 700 pcs in the guaranteed reward, or 80 to 200 pcs per attempt.
In the in-game store: purchase for Silver Lions a Folder with a number of blueprints (even after the season ends).
In special offers.

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still a work in progress and may change upon release.

The Me 262 A-1a/Jabo (Rank IX) will appear in War Thunder Mobile (WTM) in the seasonal update in the Medium and Big Trophies of the Aviation Campaign.