Heinkel He 70 Blitz
Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1932 · airliner
The Heinkel He 70 Blitz ('Lightning') was a sleek German high-speed mail and passenger aircraft that set eight world speed records on its introduction in 1932. Its elliptical wings and flush-riveted skin were highly influential on subsequent aircraft design including the Supermarine Spitfire.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, elliptical |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11.5 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Elegant elliptical wing similar to Spitfire
- Single-engine low-wing monoplane with fully retractable undercarriage
- Flush-riveted stressed-skin construction — very clean lines
The elliptical wings, extremely clean aerodynamic form with flush riveting, and retractable undercarriage make this aircraft stand out sharply from its contemporaries; its profile is strikingly similar to the later Spitfire.
Specifications
- The Heinkel He 70 Blitz has a length of 11.5 m (38 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 14.8 m (49 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 375 km/h (233 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Designed to counter the superiority of Luft Hansa's Dutch competitors, the He 70 was extraordinarily advanced for 1932, capable of carrying four passengers faster than contemporary military aircraft. Rolls-Royce purchased an example specifically to test their Kestrel engine in an aerodynamically clean airframe, influencing British fighter design thinking.
Variants
Variants included the He 70A for Luft Hansa passenger service, He 70E for military communications, He 70F for reconnaissance, and He 70G for the Condor Legion in Spain.
Where you'll see it
Operated by Deutsche Luft Hansa on European express routes and by the Luftwaffe for communications and reconnaissance; the Condor Legion used examples in Spain.
Related aircraft
- Heinkel He 49
- Heinkel He 63
- Heinkel He 64
- Heinkel HD 37
- Airspeed Ferry
- Armstrong Whitworth Atalanta
- Fokker F.XVIII
- General Aviation GA-43
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