Heinkel He 46

Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1931 · light aircraft

The Heinkel He 46 was a German two-seat parasol-wing monoplane used for army cooperation and short-range reconnaissance in the 1930s. It bridged the gap between biplane observation types and more modern monoplanes in Luftwaffe service.

Recognition (WEFT)

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

• German parasol-wing army cooperation and reconnaissance aircraft of the 1930s
• High parasol wing on multiple struts above a pod-and-boom fuselage
• Fixed spatted undercarriage and radial engine with long-chord cowling

The parasol monoplane configuration with multiple cabane struts, a radial engine with a pronounced cowling, and the spatted fixed undercarriage identify the He 46; the tapered wing has a distinctive rounded tip.

Specifications

• The Heinkel He 46 has a length of 9.5 m (31 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 14 m (46 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 250 km/h (155 mph).
• Typical crew: 2.

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

History

Designed in the early 1930s and entering service in 1933, the He 46 was initially operated clandestinely as Germany rebuilt its air force in violation of Versailles. It saw action with the Legion Condor during the Spanish Civil War and was used by the Luftwaffe in the early stages of World War II.

Variants

Several sub-variants were built, including the He 46C with enhanced armament; the type was also exported to Hungary and Bulgaria.

Where you'll see it

Used by the Luftwaffe in the army cooperation role into the early years of WWII and by Spain, Hungary, and Bulgaria; replaced in German service by more modern types by 1941-42.

Related aircraft

• Heinkel HD 37
• Heinkel He 45
• Heinkel He 59
• Heinkel HD 55
• Berliner-Joyce OJ-2
• Breda Ba.25
• Caproni Ca.113
• Fairchild 22

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