Heinkel He 162

Aircraft family

The Heinkel He 162 was developed in Nazi Germany during the final months of World War II as part of the Volksjäger emergency fighter program. [1][2]

Aircraft family

The aircraft was intended to be inexpensive and rapidly manufactured while using fewer scarce strategic materials than conventional aircraft. [1][2]

Aircraft family

The first He 162 prototype flew on December 6, 1944, only a short time after the program began. [1][2]

Aircraft family

The He 162 used a single BMW 003 turbojet engine mounted above the fuselage. Wood was incorporated into the design to reduce dependence on scarce metals. [1][2]

Aircraft family

The rapid development process produced serious technical and handling difficulties. The prototype crashed shortly after its first flight, and the aircraft remained challenging to operate. [1][2]

Variant: He 162 A-2

The He 162 A-2 carried two 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons after the originally intended heavier armament proved unsuitable for the small aircraft. [2]

Aircraft family

The Luftwaffe began introducing the He 162 to operational units in early 1945. [1][2]

Aircraft family

The type entered service too late and in too few numbers to influence the outcome of the war. Its brief operational history was further limited by training and technical problems. [1][2]