Was it just standard development issues that caused the delay? The bomb delay is a popular reason for the delay.
It was - engine design delays as they had to switch out the types of components they were using with more common metals. Ludwig Bölkow initially designed it as an interceptor - and Albert Speer claims that the bossman wanted them to bomb as well which caused design delays to add bombing capabilities. The engine issues also caused delays - but it was generally accepted that had Speer been given his wish for a mass produced 262 interceptor, it would of meant it more focus on resolving the quality issues for the engines and increased production.
Regardless, the 262 would of just punched up the 8th for a while and they would of resorted to night time bombing raids until the could get the Meteor up to snuff. It might of delayed ending WWII by a few months or a few days? Who knows? With the USA and Canada in early 1945 pumping out a couple thousand aircraft, thousands of tanks, and tens of thousands of troops ever month, it would not have changed the course of the war at all. With the sleeping giant awake and their resource rich cousin north providing the good to make stuff, German's days were numbered post BoB. Heck, Hitler's clock started counting down the day he was elected.
