Unveiling the Most Ill-Fated Jet Fighter Designs in History

There will always be a debate over what were the “best” jet fighters to head off into the battlegrounds of air warfare, but context must be considered. A German Messerschmitt Me 262 would hardly hold its own against an F-4 Phantom, while a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 is no match for a Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.

However, when it comes to the “worst” jet fighters, it is a little easier to narrow down the list. Whereas an aircraft may have excelled for its time, nothing can rescue the shortcomings.

Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet

Technically not a jet fighter, the Me 163 was truly a rocket-powered aircraft. As the planned jet engine means the Komet was still years away, its designers fitted it with a Walter HWK 109 rocket motor. It was faster than anything else in the skies over Europe in the final nine months of the Second World War, yet it should be seen as a wasted effort. The aircraft didn’t save Germany from round-the-clock bombing from the Allies, but it was also an aircraft that was difficult to fly, dangerous to land and expensive to manufacture.

Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger

Another German aircraft developed in the latter stages of the Second World War, the He 162’s biggest issue was that it was rushed through the design stage, which resulted in a poorly conceived aircraft. Other than the engine, which was produced by skilled workers, the rest of the aircraft was built by semi-skilled and unskilled workers (and possibly even slave labor) – hence the name “Volksjäger,” which translates to “People’s Fighter.” It was a miracle weapon in the truest sense, as it would have required a miracle to turn the tide of the war. It was built mostly out of wood with parts glued together. The plane also called for novice pilots to fly the aircraft, which is likely to fail.

Yakovlev Yak-38

In 1967, the Royal Air Force first showed off its “Harrier Jump Jet.” It was a vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) fighter aircraft that was capable of taking off and landing on a short, rough airstrip. The Soviet Union responded with the Yak-38. To reduce weight, the aircraft’s designers removed radar and reduced the fuel capacity. While faster than the Harrier, it lacked range and was also a nightmare for pilots to operate – and even then, it wasn’t easy to fly.

Convair F-102 Delta Dagger

If looks could kill, this interceptor with its delta wing design would have been a deadly weapon. However, a capable appearance and exquisite aerodynamics won’t save you from more than a decade of flawed decisions of the 20th century. The Soviet Union responded by rushing out a similar aircraft and the result was the Yak-38. To reduce weight, the aircraft’s designers removed radar and reduced the fuel capacity. The plane also called for novice pilots to fly the aircraft, which is likely to fail.