Forsyth, Robert - Creek, Eddie J.
If it can be said that adversity generates creativity, then the story ofthe Heinkel He 162 jetfighter is testimony to such a precept. From the summer of 1944, the adversity facing the leadership of the Third Reich was formidable. Ironically however, the very existence of such adversity prompted the construction of many inventive and radical designs to undertake the air defence of the Reich on a determined and even manic scale. The pinnacle of these accomplishments was the so-called Volksjäger-project, the 'People's Fighter', which was, and still is, regarded as a 'miracle of production'.
Created in desperation by the Nazi leadership in mid-1944, and powered by a BMW turbojet, the He 162 was known to its pilots as the 'Spatz' (the 'Sparrow'). It represented an unprecedented aeronautical and engineering achievement, with the jet-powered interceptor going from drawing board to operational readiness in just six months, often at considerable human cost. It was foreseen that hundreds of mass-produced, cheap-to-build He 162 Volksjäger, flown by hurriedly trained young pilots using a combination of technology and fanaticism, would defend the skies over Germany against massive formations of Allied heavy bombers and their fighter escorts.
In this extensively researched book, aviation historians Robert Forsyth and Eddie J. Creekdraw, for the first time, on previously unused Heinkel Company papers to offer a unique insight into the workings of the Nazi production system in the late war period, as well as other German and Allied documents. Their work is supported by many rare photographs and accompanied by line drawings and facsimile documents as well as highly detailed colour art-work by He 162 specialist, Simon Schatz.
Heinkel He 162 Spatz offers the whole history ofthe Volksjäger project, from its inception in September 1944, through to the aircraft's ultimate operational deployment with Jagdgeschwader l, and is the most comprehensive history of this amazing aircraft ever to be published in the English language. A natural accompaniment to the other detailed German aircraft monographs from Classic Publications, it is certain to find a ready audience and will form an essential reference work for all those interested in the airpower of World War 2.
hardcover with dust jacket, large format
208 Seiten / pages
many photos, technical drawings
excellent condition
Hersham, UK - 2008 - Classic Publications
Art.Nr. 24311
