Heinkel HE 1
Heinkel / Caspar-Werke · German Reich · first flew 1923 · transport aircraft
The Heinkel HE 1 was an early single-engine biplane floatplane designed by Ernst Heinkel and built by Caspar-Werke in 1923. It was one of Heinkel's first aircraft designs and established his focus on seaplanes and naval aircraft.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 12.65 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early Heinkel seaplane design from 1923
- Single-engine biplane floatplane built by Caspar-Werke
- Predecessor to later Heinkel naval aircraft
A biplane floatplane of conventional 1920s layout with twin main floats, equal-span wings with strut bracing, and a radial or inline tractor engine. Distinguished from contemporaries mainly by its Heinkel design provenance.
Specifications
- The Heinkel HE 1 has a length of 12.65 m (42 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 160 km/h (99 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Working initially through Caspar-Werke before establishing his own company, Ernst Heinkel produced the HE 1 in 1923 as a reconnaissance and patrol floatplane. The design showed Heinkel's early competence with seaplane aerodynamics and construction. It led directly to a succession of progressively refined Heinkel floatplane designs through the 1920s.
Variants
The HE 1 was the baseline design; subsequent Heinkel seaplanes (HE 2, HE 4, HE 5) built on its lessons.
Where you'll see it
Evaluated for naval use in the early 1920s; exact operational service details are limited given the constraints on German aviation under Versailles.
Related aircraft
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