Heinkel He 162 Salamander

The #Heinkel He 162 #Salamander , known as the "Volksjäger" or "People's Fighter," was a desperate, late-war attempt by #Nazi #Germany to regain control of the skies. This single-engine, #jet-powered #fighter emerged in response to Allied air superiority, aimed at being fast, inexpensive, and easy to mass-produce. Powered by a single BMW 003 turbojet engine, the He 162 could reach a speed of around 840 km/h and was armed with two 20mm cannons. Despite its high speed and innovative design, its late introduction, structural weaknesses, unreliable engine, and the high-risk nature of its operation meant it saw limited combat service. While it did not significantly influence the outcome of #worldwar2 , the He 162 was one of the first operational #jetfighters , marking a significant step in #aviationhistory
#history #aviation #war #aircraft