He 162 Salamander

Photos by: Bill Coffman

The Heinkel 162 is (to me) one of the most attractive aircraft to come out of WW2. However it was apparently under developed and a bitch to fly.   It is too bad that the example in the Rockcliffe Museum has been in semi-storage unassembled for so many years, but I suppose that it has little significance in terms of Canadian aviation. This example was apparently flown by the RAF in June of 1945 in a series of test flights for a total flight time of 90 minutes. It has therefor probably been re-painted.  A surprise is that there is another example in storage. This would make an interesting "Warbird"project for some brave rich guy if it could be swapped for something useful to the Museum--like an Oxford.
From the Canada Aviation Museum website

Heinkel He 162A-1 Volksjager (120076)

    * Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
    * Uses: Fighter
    * First Flight: December 6, 1944
    * Display Status: In Storage Area < dismantled and accessible.

The Heinkel He 162 jet fighter was conceived, designed, and built in 90 days as a last attempt by Germany to avoid defeat in Second World War. Intended as an inexpensive fighter, the Heinkel He 162 could be built by semi-skilled labour out of non-strategic materials. After initial aerodynamic and structural problems were solved, the German Air Force began receiving Heinkel He 162s in 1945, but there is no evidence that they saw action. Records from the period are incomplete, and it is not known exactly how many were built.

Total scheduled output of Heinkel He 162s was to be 4,000 per month. Pilots supplied for this vast output were to be given glider training and assigned directly to this jet fighter. It is fortunate that this plan was never realised since the He 162 was no machine for the inexperienced. Even seasoned pilots had to use extremely smooth and delicate control movements to stay out of trouble. A rudimentary ejection seat carried the pilot past the engine air-intake on bailout. Museum Example

    * Registration #: 120076 (GAF) (AM 59 RAF VH523)
    * Manufacturer: Ernst Heinkel Flugzeuwerke GmbH, Germany
    * Manufacture Date: 1945
    * Construction #: Unknown
    * Aquisition Date: 1964
    * Provenance: Transfer from RCAF

The Museum aircraft was assembled in 1945 and held by the German Air Force until the end of the war, when it was test-flown in England. After storage, it was shipped to Canada in 1946 and held in various locations before its transfer to the Canadian War Museum in 1964.
Specifications
Wing Span:
7.2 m (23 ft 7 in) Length:
9 m (29 ft 6 in) Height:
2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) Weight, Empty:
1,663 kg (3,667 lb) Weight, Gross:
2,490 kg (5,490 lb) Cruising Speed:
Unknown Max Speed:
835 km/h (519 mph) Rate of Climb:
1,280 m (4,200 ft) /min Service Ceiling:
12,020 m (39,440 ft) Range:
1,000 km (621 mi) Power Plant:
one BMW-109-003E-1 Sturm axial flow jet engine, 800 kg (1,764 lb), static
thrust
_____________________________


 

Heinkel He 162A-1 Volksjager (120086)

    * Period: Second World War (1939-1945)
    * Uses: Fighter
    * First Flight: December 6, 1944
    * Display Status: In Storage Area < dismantled and inaccessible.

Museum Example

    * Registration #: 120086 (GAF) (AM 62)
    * Manufacturer: Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke GmbH, Germany
    * Manufacture Date: 1945
    * Construction #: Unknown
    * Aquisition Date: 1964
    * Provenance: Transfer from RCAF

This aircraft was assembled in 1945 and sent to England for assessment later
the same year. It was shipped to Canada for storage in 1946, and transferred
to the Canadian War Museum in 1964.