Heinkel HD 38
Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1928 · fighter
The Heinkel HD 38 was a German single-engine biplane fighter floatplane developed in the late 1920s, intended primarily for export markets. It featured twin floats and an open cockpit.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine biplane fighter seaplane with twin floats
- Open cockpit with inline engine
- Designed for export as floatplane fighter
A compact equal-span biplane with twin floats, an inline engine, and open cockpit; the slim fuselage and float configuration distinguish it from land-based contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Heinkel HD 38 has a length of 7.5 m (25 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 290 km/h (180 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed by Heinkel in the late 1920s, the HD 38 was developed at a time when Germany was restricted by the Treaty of Versailles and much of Heinkel's military output was aimed at foreign customers. The type attracted limited export interest.
Variants
The HD 38 was produced in small numbers; no major production variants are documented.
Where you'll see it
The HD 38 saw only limited export service and did not equip the German armed forces in meaningful numbers.
Related aircraft
- Heinkel HD 19
- Heinkel HD 43
- Heinkel He 8
- Heinkel HD 22
- Boeing P-12/F4B
- Boeing XF4B-1
- Curtiss F8C-1 Falcon
- Curtiss F8C-3 Falcon
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.