![](https://www.historynet.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Me-262-FF-7-18-42.jpg)
Messerschmitt’s Chief Test Pilot, Fritz Wendel flew a prototype Me-262 on its first purely jet powered flight. Problems with the aircraft as a “tail dragger” resulted in the fighter built with a tricycle style landing gear after the fifth prototype. (National Archives)