The Heinkel He 162 Volksjäger was one of Nazi Germany's final attempts to field a new jet fighter as the war collapsed around it. Contested Victory focuses on one of the aircraft's few reported combat successes and on surviving He 162 components recovered after the war.
A Jet Built at the End of the War
The He 162 was developed at extraordinary speed and entered service only in the final months of the conflict. More than 300 were built, but comparatively few reached operational units before Germany surrendered. Fuel shortages, rushed production and limited pilot conversion time sharply restricted its combat impact.
The Contested Victory
On 4 May 1945, Luftwaffe pilot Rudolf Schmitt reported shooting down a Hawker Tempest during an He 162 sortie. German anti-aircraft gunners also claimed the aircraft, leaving responsibility disputed. Tempest pilot Tom Austin survived, and the episode became one of the best-known claims associated with the He 162's extremely short operational career.
Surviving He 162 Material
Components associated with the project were provided through D. Lemp in partnership with the Rechliner Museum and include remnants connected with restoration work on the He 162 displayed at the Aviation Technical Museum in Rechlin, Germany.
Restored Heinkel He 162 at the Aviation Technical Museum in Rechlin, Germany.
Craig Tinder also examined He 162 “Red 1” (W.Nr. 120077) at Planes of Fame in Chino, California while researching the aircraft for the artwork.
He 162 “Red 1” (W.Nr. 120077) at Planes of Fame in Chino, California.
Share: