Heinkel HE 2
Heinkel / Svenska Aero · Weimar Republic · first flew 1923 · light aircraft
The Heinkel HE 2 was an early 1920s biplane seaplane developed by Ernst Heinkel and licence-built by Svenska Aero for the Swedish Navy. It served as a coastal reconnaissance and patrol aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.66 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early 1920s single-engine biplane floatplane
- Built by Svenska Aero for Swedish Navy
- Open cockpit reconnaissance seaplane
A large biplane floatplane with twin main floats, open cockpits, and the generous wingspan typical of naval reconnaissance aircraft of the era.
Specifications
- The Heinkel HE 2 has a length of 12.66 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17.48 m (57 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 183 km/h (114 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Heinkel designed the HE 2 shortly after World War I as Germany sought export markets under Versailles restrictions. Svenska Aero in Sweden built examples under licence, and the type entered service with the Swedish Navy for coastal patrol duties. It represented an important early export success for the Heinkel firm.
Variants
Minor equipment variations existed between German-built and Swedish-built examples, but no distinct named variants are recorded.
Where you'll see it
The HE 2 served with the Swedish Navy in the early 1920s as a patrol and reconnaissance floatplane, operating from coastal stations.
Related aircraft
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