Make sure you have at least twice the necessary amount of perk points before upping a 262. Upped one for about 170 points today, got shot down, towered with 15 fighter points left to my name.
Goto Google and type in "French military victories", then hit "I'm feeling lucky".
Long time ago I upped a 262, died, lost all my perks. I decided right then and there to save up my perks so it never happens again. Well, here I am 1 1/2 yrs from that day, and I have 4500 fighter perks that I never use now.