Stepwilk in #8:
IMO is the Wright Flyer only(!) a first, where the oncoming worldwide developments made the aircraft useable. As example: The Danish flightpioneer Ellehammer is reported to be the first to use tilting in turns (during a flight event in Kiel, Germany) and in such small steps fuld the airplane develop until short before WW1 where huge steps was done!
The ME262 did NOT introduce the swept wing! It's wings rear edge is straight-lined and only the leading edge is slightly backswept!
The ME262 is NOT a fighter! It's a bomber-destroyer! It's four slow firing 30mm cannons weren't ideal for dogfights, as not the speed itself !
IMO isn't the 262 more innovative than other of the simultaneous jets :-|
The Junkers JU52 and the DC3 is much equivalent in structure and use and the Atlantic is the mainly difference between this two - Except from the remarkable American radials wich delivered +50% power and made it possible to build the DC3 with one lesser engine than the tri-motored Junkers.
Beside the DC3, PBY5 Catalina, Lockheed C130 Hercules, F15 and F-16 deserves mention for long servicetime!
Last edited by Flybiker7000; 16th Dec 2014 at 18:01.