As with all stories it is not as simple as that. The aeroplane was designed from the start in a variety of versions, both fighter and bomber. Much of what has appeared in various books and magazine articles has been based on Hitler’s speech which was, after all, all spin.

I am of the opinion that the aeroplane was being designed to fill a number of roles and that the Hitler speech did little or nothing to hold it up. There were more pressing problems such as the lack of high quality metals for the turbine blades, the general fuel shortage and lack of experienced pilots for a start that had as much effect as the Hitler speech.

The Crowood book on the ‘262 had some good stuff on this.