The invention of the jet engine was the crowning achievement of engineer Frank Whittle. But the path to glory was littered with countless obstacles — including a number of spectacularly failed experiments. 🎥Survival in the Skies | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

Do you know this figure from aviation history? Sir Frank Whittle is often called the “father of the jet age.” Hear his story in this quick clip from Survival in the Skies: The Jet Race. ✈️ Want more videos like this one? Follow Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation. http://bit.ly/AVNationSC | Smithsonian Channel Aviation Nation

Junkers Ju 287 Junkers Ju 287 was a revolutionary German experimental jet bomber of World War II, famously known as the world’s first multi-engine jet aircraft to feature forward-swept wings. Key Technical Features Forward-Swept Wings: Designed by Hans Wocke to provide exceptional lift at low speeds and high maneuverability, which helped compensate for the slow acceleration of early jet engines during takeoff. "Franken-jet" Construction: To speed up development, the first prototype (Ju 287 V1) w