Heinkel He162 Volksjäger

If it can be said that adversity generates creativity, then the story of the Heinkel He 162 jet fighter 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 many inventive and radical designs for the prosecution of the air defence of the Reich on a determined and even manic scale.In the closing months of the war, at a time the Allies had assumed that they had mastered the Luftwaffe jet menace, the combined efforts of a leading German aircraft manufacturer - Ernst Heinkel AG - and a small team of dedicated civilian and military specialists achieved an almost unbelievable feat: the production of a new, jet-powered interceptor from concept, through development and testing, to operational readiness in just six months. The accomplishment of the so-called Volksjäger (the People's Fighter') project was - and still is - regarded as amiracle of production'.In this extensively researched book, aviation historians Robert Forsyth and Eddie J Creek, draw, 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 artwork by He 162 specialist, Simon Schatz.This is the most comprehensive history of this fascinating aircraft to be published in the English language and is a natural accompaniment to the other detailed German aircraft monographs published by Classic Publications. It will form an essential reference work to all those interested in the airpower of the Second World War.

Hundreds more photos and scale drawings spice the story. And sidebars and extended captions further enrich the illuminating account. Late-WWII enthusiasts will love this sumptuous study. Robustly recommended! -- Cybermodeler Online Michael Benolkin
The photography is truly stunning and none of the images have been published before. Very good value for price and content. -- N/A London Transport Museum Friends Magazine
This publication is not solely for aviation enthusiasts; it serves as a valuable resource for anyone interested in building a model of this interesting aircraft. With its thorough examination of the He 162's development, production, and performance, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a significant chapter of military aviation. -- Chris Banyai-Riepl InternetModeler.com
I can say without doubt that this one of the most intriguing accounts of a World War 2 aircraft that I have read...A fine book which I can only recommend. -- Richard Vandevoord Aviation Enthusiast Facebook Group
[This book] is unquestionably the most comprehensive history and coverage of this aircraft...this volume is unreservedly recommended for anyone interested in wartime Luftwaffe aircraft and/or modelling a He162 'Volksjäger'. -- Neil Robinson IPMS Magazine

Eddie J. Creek has been researching Luftwaffe aircraft for over 40 years, publishing his first book, German Aircraft of the Second World War, in 1972. After retiring as an architect in 1991, Eddie established Classic Publications with Robert Forsyth. He again co-operated with Richard Smith in the production of an acclaimed four-volume history of the Me 262, published by Classic, and this was followed by several volumes on the Luftwaffe fighter and bomber units and their markings for Classic.

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