Heinkel He 119
Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1937 · bomber
The Heinkel He 119 was a radical German high-speed aircraft prototype featuring two coupled engines buried in the fuselage driving a single nose-mounted propeller, eliminating conventional engine nacelles for minimal drag.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Two DB 606 engines buried in fuselage coupled to single propeller shaft |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Radical high-speed German aircraft with coupled engines driving a nose propeller
- Two DB 606 engines buried in fuselage coupled to single propeller shaft
- Completely glazed nose for speed and reduced drag
Unique appearance with a fully glazed nose capsule, no external engine nacelles, a clean mid-wing monoplane form, and a large four-blade propeller — unlike any other aircraft of its era.
Specifications
- The Heinkel He 119 has a length of 14.8 m (49 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 15.9 m (52 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 591 km/h (367 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed in the mid-1930s as both a speed record attempt and a high-speed reconnaissance/bomber concept, the He 119 set an unofficial record of 505 mph in 1937. The coupled engine concept was technically risky and the type did not enter production, though it informed later Heinkel designs.
Variants
Several prototypes were built exploring the coupled engine concept; no production version was ordered.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; used solely as experimental aircraft.
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- Heinkel He 115
- Heinkel He 115B-1
- Heinkel He 116
- Heinkel He 170
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