E3A

The Heinkel E3A was a prototype monoplane developed in the early 1930s as part of Germany’s effort to modernize its air‑force under the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles. Designed by a team led by Ernst Heinkel, the aircraft first flew in March 1932 from the company’s Rostock‑Marienehe facility. Although only a single example was built, the E3A incorporated several advanced concepts that foreshadowed later German designs. Its all‑metal, low‑wing configuration was equipped with a 750 hp Daimler‑Benz DB 600 inline engine driving a two‑bladed variable‑pitch propeller, giving a maximum speed of 425 km/h and a service ceiling of 10,500 m. The cockpit featured a streamlined canopy and the airframe employed cantilever wings with integrated flaps for improved low‑speed handling. The aircraft also introduced an early retractable landing‑gear system, reducing drag and influencing the design of the subsequent Heinkel He 70 and He 112 fighters. While the E3A never entered production, its experimental data contributed to the rapid development of Germany’s pre‑World War II fighter program, making it a notable stepping stone in the evolution of modern military aviation. Today, the sole E3A airframe is preserved at the Deutsches Museum, serving as a tangible reminder of Heinkel’s innovative spirit.

Heinkel

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Design & Classification