Originally Posted by perttime

What aircraft?

1) it was at the cutting edge of technology when introduced - but didn't stay there long.
2) it was used by 7 nations
3) the chief design engineer used to make part of his living performing at a circus

4) the design was derived from a 3 seat amphibian airplane
5) same lineage can be seen in a more famous fighter design that the company produced - later, after changing company name.