ザ ハインケル He 162was the result of the “Emergency Fighter Program” initiated in late 1944. As Allied bombers devastated German industry, the Luftwaffe needed a jet that was cheap, used non-strategic materials (like wood), and was easy to fly for Hitler Youth pilots with minimal training. Remarkably, the aircraft went from a wooden mockup to its first flight in only90 days. While it was aerodynamically advanced and extremely fast, it was also dangerous to fly due to its sensitive handling and the poor quality of the glues used in its wooden construction.
Attribute
Technical Specification (He 162 A-2)
役割
Interceptor / Emergency Fighter
乗組員
1 (Pilot)
First Flight
December 6, 1944
パワープラント
1 × BMW 003E-1 turbojet
Thrust
1,760 lbf (7.8 kN)
最高速度
562 mph (905 km/h) at 20,000 ft
Endurance
30 minutes (approximate)
武装
2 × 20mm MG 151/20 cannons
Radical Engineering in a Hurry
Dorsal Engine Mount:To simplify the fuel system and protect the engine from debris on rough runways, theBMW 003jet was mounted directly on top of the fuselage. This required a twin-fin “H-tail” to allow the exhaust gases to pass between the rudders.
Wooden Construction:The wings were made entirely of wood, as was the nose and various fairings. In a famous incident during the first flight, the acidic “Tego film” glue ate through the wooden wing structure, leading to a catastrophic structural failure.
Ejection Seat:Despite being a “budget” fighter, the He 162 was one of the first operational aircraft to feature aHeinkel-designed ejection seat, powered by an explosive cartridge, because the pilot could not safely bail out through the top-mounted engine intake.
The “Salamander” Mystery:“Salamander” was the codename for the wing construction project, while the aircraft itself was officially theSpatz(Sparrow) orフォルクスイェーガー.
Brief Combat and Capture
Operational Units:Only one unit,JG 1, was fully equipped with the He 162 before the war ended. They claimed a handful of victories, but the aircraft’s short fuel endurance and landing gear issues caused more losses than enemy fire.
The British Assessment:After the war, British test pilotEric “Winkle” Brownflew the He 162 and described it as having “the best all-round view” and being a “delightful” aerobatic platform, though he warned it was “unforgiving” if mishandled.
Aerodynamic Innovations:The wings featured distinctive turned-down “drooped” tips (Lippisch-style), which were intended to improve stability and prevent the aircraft from rolling unexpectedly at high speeds.
Survivors:Because so many were built (approx. 320), several exist today. Notable examples are at theRAF Museum London, theSmithsonian, and theMusée de l’Air et de l’Espacein France.
