Heinkel HE 10

The Heinkel HE 10 was a single‑seat, low‑wing sport monoplane built by the German manufacturer Heinkel in the early 1930s. Designed as a lightweight trainer and aerobatic aircraft, the HE 10 first flew in 1932 and entered limited production for German flying clubs. Its wooden airframe was covered with fabric, while the wing employed a thin, tapered profile and a cantilever design that eliminated the need for external bracing. Power was provided by a modest 75 hp inverted inline engine, giving the aircraft a top speed of around 180 km/h and a climb rate suitable for novice pilots. The cockpit was open, offering excellent visibility for aerobatic manoeuvres and flight instruction. Although only a handful were built, the HE 10 helped Heinkel refine construction techniques that later appeared in more advanced types such as the He 70 and the famed He 111 bomber. Its simplicity, low operating cost, and handling characteristics made it a popular choice for pilot training during a period when German civil aviation was expanding rapidly. The HE 10 therefore represents an important stepping stone in Heinkel’s evolution from sport aircraft to the sophisticated military designs of World War II.