Heinkel He 280

Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1940 · fighter

The Heinkel He 280 was the world's first turbojet-powered aircraft designed as a fighter, making its first powered flight in April 1941. Despite its historical significance, it was cancelled in favour of the Messerschmitt Me 262.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turbojet, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	10.2 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

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World's first turbojet-powered fighter aircraft to fly, predating the Me 262
Twin turbojets in underwing pods, twin-boom or twin-fin tail, straight mid-wing
Tricycle undercarriage and twin vertical fins, Heinkel HeS 8 turbojets

The He 280's twin-boom tail with twin vertical fins, straight mid-mounted wing, and two podded turbojets distinguish it from the Me 262's swept wing and more refined nacelles; the tricycle undercarriage was innovative for the period.

Specifications

The Heinkel He 280 has a length of 10.2 m (33 ft).
It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
Its maximum speed is 752 km/h (467 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Heinkel developed the He 280 alongside their HeS 8 turbojet engine, achieving the world's first jet-versus-jet 'combat' in a mock engagement with a piston-engine Fw 190. However, the RLM preferred the Me 262's performance, and the He 280 was officially cancelled in March 1943.

Variants

Several prototypes were built with different engine configurations including He S 8, Jumo 004, and BMW 003 turbojets; no production variant was ever ordered.

Where you'll see it

Never entered operational service; nine prototypes were built and tested, with the programme terminated in 1943 after the Me 262 was chosen.

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