Heinkel HE 1

The Heinkel HE 1, also known as the Heinkel HD 1, was a German two‑seat sport and training biplane built by the aircraft manufacturer Heinkel in the early 1920s. Designed by Ernst Heinkel’s design team shortly after World War I, the HE 1 first flew in 1921 as a response to the limited civil aviation market imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. The aircraft featured a conventional single‑bay biplane layout with wooden wings, fabric covering, and a fixed tailskid undercarriage. Power came from a 55‑hp Oberursel engine, later replaced by a more reliable 80‑hp Armstrong Siddeley Puma, giving the plane a modest top speed of around 150 km/h and a service ceiling of 3,500 meters. Its open tandem cockpits provided excellent visibility for both pilot and instructor, making it popular for flight training, aerobatics, and short‑range touring. Although only a few dozen were produced, the HE 1 demonstrated Heinkel’s ability to transition from wartime fighter construction to civilian aircraft design. The type served as a stepping stone toward more advanced civil aircraft such as the Heinkel He 64, and it helped establish Heinkel’s reputation for reliable, low‑cost trainers that supported the growth of German aviation in the inter‑war period.

Heinkel

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