Junkers Ju 287: The World's First Swept-Wing Jet Aircraft

In the summer of 1944, as the Second World War drew to a close, an unusual airplane took to the skies over Leipzig—Brandis on its maiden flight. It was the prototype version of the Ju 287 V1, a four—engine jet bomber. With its forward swept wings, the design was a critical milestone in the annals of aviation technology and made the Ju 287 the first swept—wing design in the world. One of the world’s most interesting airplanes is revealed through many previously unpublished reports, photograp...