HE 162 A

The Heinkel He 162 Salamander was a German single-engine, jet-powered fighter aircraft designed and manufactured by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke during World War II. It was the first jet fighter to be put into service by any country, and saw limited service with the Luftwaffe in 1945. The He 162 was designed by the Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in response to a requirement for a high-performance interceptor aircraft to counter the Allied bombers that were devastating German cities. The He 162 was a radical design for its time, featuring a swept wing, a tail-mounted engine, and a tricycle landing gear. It was also the first aircraft to be powered by a turbojet engine, the Heinkel HeS 011. The He 162 was a very fast aircraft, with a top speed of 598 mph (962 km/h). It was also very maneuverable, and was able to outmaneuver most Allied fighters. However, the He 162 was also very fragile, and was prone to structural failure. It was also very difficult to fly, and required a highly skilled pilot to operate. Despite these problems, the He 162 was a very promising aircraft, and it is likely that it would have had a significant impact on the war if it had been put into service earlier.