Heinkel
Heinkel He 162
The Heinkel He 162 “Volksjäger” was a German jet fighter built by Heinkel in the final months of World War II. Conceived in early 1944 as a lightweight, quickly producible aircraft for the Luftwaffe’s dwindling pilot pool, the project received top‑secret status and was rushed from design to flight within less than a year. Its first powered test flight occurred on 6 December 1944, and the type entered limited operational service in April 1945, with only a few dozen airframes reaching combat units before the war ended.
Key features of the He 162 included a single BMW 109‑003E turbojet mounted atop a short, streamlined fuselage, a wooden‑filled wing structure that conserved strategic metals, and a cramped but functional cockpit placed forward of the engine. The aircraft’s wingspan measured 7.2 m, its length 7.8 m, and it could reach a top speed of roughly 800 km/h (497 mph) at altitude, offering respectable performance for its modest powerplant. Its simple construction allowed rapid assembly using non‑strategic materials, aligning with the Volksjäger concept of a mass‑produced “people’s fighter.”
Although the He 162 saw no decisive impact on the conflict, it remains significant in aviation history as one of the first operational jet fighters, demonstrating innovative use of mixed‑material construction and foreshadowing post‑war jet development in both Germany and the wider world.
Key features of the He 162 included a single BMW 109‑003E turbojet mounted atop a short, streamlined fuselage, a wooden‑filled wing structure that conserved strategic metals, and a cramped but functional cockpit placed forward of the engine. The aircraft’s wingspan measured 7.2 m, its length 7.8 m, and it could reach a top speed of roughly 800 km/h (497 mph) at altitude, offering respectable performance for its modest powerplant. Its simple construction allowed rapid assembly using non‑strategic materials, aligning with the Volksjäger concept of a mass‑produced “people’s fighter.”
Although the He 162 saw no decisive impact on the conflict, it remains significant in aviation history as one of the first operational jet fighters, demonstrating innovative use of mixed‑material construction and foreshadowing post‑war jet development in both Germany and the wider world.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 320
- First Flight
- 1944
Design & Classification
- Primary Use
- Country of Origin
- Manufacturer
- Heinkel
- Developer
- Heinkel
- Engine
- BMW 003
- Operator
-
Luftwaffe
- Wikidata ID
- Q156878