Heinkel He-162 A2 Salamander 

Nightfighter version for European campaigns in 109E slot.
Adapted from files by Charles Gunst and Red SwingeR 

cheers
Ade Kelly 'flying tiger'
apr 2005


History of the He-162 Salamander courtesy of Red SwingeR

The He-162 was conceived as a last-ditch fighter to be flown by unskilled pilots in late 1944. The so-called Volksjaeger ("People's Fighter") was designed and flown in only 10 weeks, and had its first flight on 6 December. Built from readily-available materials (the wing was made of wood), it was a small and relatively unsopisticated aircraft, although it did have an ejector seat, because the position of the BMW turbojet engine would have otherwise made bailing out a difficult proposition.

The first version (the A1) had 2x30mm cannon fitted, but excessive vibration when fired caused their replacement by 20mm MG151s in the main production version, the A2. Approximately 150 A2s were accepted by the Luftwaffe, and it saw service with JG1. Some were encountered operationally by Allied aircraft in 1945. 


