Introduction:

The Heinkel He 280 holds a significant place in aviation history as it was the world's first jet-powered fighter aircraft. Developed by Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in the early 1940s, the project was a response to a German Air Ministry requirement for a high-speed fighter that could outperform traditional piston-engine fighters.

History:

Designed by Wolfgang Heinrich, the He 280 featured a sleek mid-wing configuration with swept-back wings, which was considered innovative at the time. It was powered by two Heinkel HeS 8 turbojet engines, enabling it to reach a top speed of approximately 520 mph (837 km/h).

On April 2, 1941, test pilot Erich Warsitz conducted the He 280's maiden flight, which showcased promising performance and demonstrated its potential as a formidable fighter aircraft.

Despite its successful test flights, the He 280 encountered various challenges during its development. Political and bureaucratic issues within the German Air Ministry, along with competition between different aircraft manufacturers vying for contracts, led to prolonged delays.

Furthermore, the He 280 faced tough competition from another German manufacturer, Messerschmitt, which was concurrently developing its own jet-powered fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 262. As delays persisted and setbacks plagued the He 280 program, the German Air Ministry shifted its focus to the Me 262, eventually leading to the latter becoming the more prominent jet fighter of World War II.

Real specifications:

Crew: 1 (pilot)
Length: 10.20 m (33 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 12.00 m (39 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
Empty Weight: 4,500 kg (9,920 lb)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 6,800 kg (14,991 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Heinkel HeS 8 turbojet engines
Maximum Speed: Approximately 520 mph (837 km/h)
Range: Approximately 430 miles (690 km)
Service Ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,670 m)
First Flight: April 2, 1941

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Designer's Note:

Because this never reached full scale production, I did not include any weapons. Also, there are not many records on the actual cockpit so the cockpit in this design does not match the actual one.