HEINKEL

Ernst Heinkel AG formed as private company December 1935, moving from Warnemünde to much larger new factory at Rostock-Marienehe. Brothers Walter and Siegfried Günter had jointed as senior designers 1929, and their respective talents for aesthetic shape and mathematics, combined with capability of chief engineer Karl Schwärzler, resulted in series of aircraft beginning with He 70 (1 December 1932) whose aerodynamic perfection was envy of world. Rostock grew, but He 111 (24 February 1935) was needed in such numbers by new Luftwaffe that it was built by 4 other companies as well as by colossal purpose-built factory at Oranienburg managed by state-financed Heinkel-Werke (Heinkel being allowed only 3% holding). Repeated failure to displace Bf 109 as Luftwaffe fighter was major blow, and He 177 heavy bomber had most troubled history. He 178 was first turbojet aircraft (27 August 1939), but neither it nor He 280 twin-jet fighter had any influence on history. He 219 night fighter was outstanding but too late. He 162 jet fighter, flown 6 December 1944 just 90 days from initiation of project, was brilliant and formidable (in hands of experienced pilot) but planned 2,000 per month overtaken by final collapse.

Read 169 times