Heinkel HE 2

The Heinkel He 2, produced in Sweden as the Svenska S 3 and nicknamed the "Hansa", was a reconnaissance seaplane built in small numbers to equip the Swedish Navy in the 1920s. It was a refinement of the HE 1, sharing its same basic configuration as a low-wing, strut-braced monoplane with no tail fin and a rudder that barely protruded above and below the line of the fuselage.

Originally, three were purchased, with another one built by Svenska Aero some time later, and a fifth and final aircraft built by the Navy itself. The type remained in service for over 10 years, finally being retired in 1935.

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: Two, pilot and observer
• Length: 12.66 m (41 ft 6 in)
• Wingspan: 17.48 m (57 ft 4 in)
• Height: 3.90 m (12 ft 10 in)
• Wing area: 53.6 m² (577 ft²)
• Empty weight: 1,863 kg (4,107 lb)
• Gross weight: 2,475 kg (5,456 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × Rolls-Royce Eagle IX, 270 kW (360 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 183 km/h (114 mph)
• Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
• Rate of climb: 3.3 m/s (650 ft/min)

Armament

• 1 × trainable, rearward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) Madsen m/22 machine gun

References

• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 498.