Heinkel He 66
Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1933 · bomber
The Heinkel He 66 was a German single-engine two-seat biplane used as a light bomber and trainer, exported to Japan and China in the early 1930s where it influenced the development of dive-bomber doctrine.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 10 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Single-engine biplane light bomber/trainer exported to Japan and China
- Two-bay biplane with large radial engine
- Used by Imperial Japanese Navy as a dive-bomber trainer
Two-bay biplane with a large radial engine, fixed undercarriage, and tandem open cockpits; the clean lines distinguish it from more workmanlike contemporaries.
Specifications
- The Heinkel He 66 has a length of 10 m (33 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 290 km/h (180 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Sold to the Imperial Japanese Navy, where it was used to develop carrier-based dive-bombing techniques, the He 66 played a subtle but significant role in shaping Japanese naval aviation's emphasis on precision bombing. China also received examples.
Variants
Export variants were tailored to customer specifications; no significant domestic German production occurred.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy and Chinese air forces in the early-to-mid 1930s.
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- Heinkel He 51
- Heinkel He 51 B-2
- Heinkel He 51A
- Heinkel He 51B-1
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