Junkers Ju 287

This is the Ju 287 V1 Testbed, preparing for airflow tests.
Type: Heavy Bomber
Origin: Junkers Flugzeug und Motorenwerks AG
Model: V1 to V3
Crew: V3: Three
First Flight:
    Ju 287 V1: August 16, 1944
    Ju 287 V2: 1947 by Soviet Union
Number of Flights: V1: 17
Number Produced: 2, (V3) not completed
Engine:
Ju 287 V1 & V2:
   Model: Junkers Jumo 004
   Type: Turbojets
   Number: Four       Thrust: 1,980lb (900kg)
   Note: Four 2,645lb (1,200kg) thrust Walter 501 takeoff
      assistance rockets also mounted.

Ju 287 V3:
   Model: BMW 003A
   Type: Turbojets
   Number: Six       Thrust: 1,760lb (800kg)
Dimensions:
Span: 65 ft. 11¾ in. (20.11m)
Length:
    Ju 287 V1: 60 ft. 0½ in. (18.30m)
Height: N/A
Wing Area: N/A

Weights:
Empty: 12,510kg
Loaded: 20,000kg
   Performance:
Maximum speed:
    Ju 287 V1: 560km/h (348mph)
    Ju 287 V3: 865kn/h (537mph)
Range with max. bombs (est.):
    Ju 287 V3: 1585km (985 miles)
Armament:
Two MG 131 in remote control tail barbette.

Bombs: Ju 287 V3
8,818 lb. (4000 kg)
Additional Images:
Image 1 Side View.
Image 2 Front View.
Image 3 A test flight.
Image 4 One of the prototypes.
Image 5 Another front view.
Image 6 Nose.

Comments:
One of the strangest Luftwaffe aircraft to ever claw it's way into the air was the Junkers Ju 287. Begun in early 1943, the Ju 287 incorporated many advanced aerodynamic concepts, the most striking being the swept forward wings. This design feature was deemed radical enough to warrent the construction of a testbed aircraft, pictured above. This testbed flew on August 16, 1944. The aircraft was a Frankenstien's monster, pieced together from several diffent aircraft. Included were the nosewheels from two B-24 Liberators, the fuselage of an He 177, mainwheels off a Ju 352, and the tail was constructed of Ju 388 parts.
17 test flights proved the concept to have excellent handling characteristics and would have proven a problem had not the allies overrun the testing airfield, capturing the the V1 and the nearly complete V2. The V2 was flown by the Soviet Union in 1947. The V3 failed to get off the drawing board and would have had several improvements.
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Sources:
Gunston, Bill & Wood, Tony - Hitler's Luftwaffe, 1977, Salamander Books Ltd., London