He 162 A-2

He 162 A-2

Ta 152 C-3

◊MiG-15bis

He 162 A-2

Ta 152 C-3

◊MiG-15bis

Germany

V Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
6.3	6.0	6.7

Class:

Fighter

Jet fighter

Research:95 000

Purchase:270 000

Show in game

This page is about the German jet fighter He 162 A-2. For other version, see He 162 A-1.

Description

The He 162 A-2 in the garage

The He 162 A-2 is a Rank V German jet fighter with a battle rating of 6.3 (AB), 6.0 (RB), and 6.7 (SB). It was in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.29.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Cockpit of the He 162

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
800	774	12000	31.5	32.7	19.1	18.0	750
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
?	?	12000	??.?	??.?	??.?	??.?	750

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
1040	350	700	~31	~18

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 500	< 500	< 580	> 250

Survivability and armour

• 15 mm steel - bulkhead behind cockpit
• Engine exposed on top of fuselage
• Fuel tanks in fuselage and wings below engine

Armaments

Offensive armament

The He 162 A-2 is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, chin-mounted (120 rpg = 240 total)

The twin MG 151s have the least stopping power out of all the early Tier 5 jets. However, when compared to the 30mm Mk. 108's found on other German jets, its cannons have acceptable muzzle velocity, though this will remain a problem. The ammo count is less than enough considering the speeds at which jet combat takes place.

Usage in battles

Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable Automatic	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

"Offensive 20mm", "Compressor", "Wings repair" then "Engine" in that and no other order! Why? The stock Mg151 belts are bad as they lack the very powerful HE Minengeschosse. Compressor and Engine are no brainers. Everything that improves acceleration is a must for early jets. Wings repair is superior to new cannons, the stock Mg151 does not overheat and accuracy is acceptable in short bursts. 

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator
II		Compressor	Airframe
III	Wings Repair	Engine
IV		Engine Injection	Cover

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Relatively quick
• Favorable matchmaking can make the vehicle fight lower-ranked propeller aircraft
• Hard-hitting armament
• Plenty of ammunition
• Does not have WEP, however throttle can push past 100% (up to 106% throttle)
• Very good visibility
• Okay Energy Retention and Top speed
• Small target
• Low surface wing surface area presents a small target when turning
• Can use WEP practically forever above 6000m
• Great roll rate

Cons:

• Horrible acceleration
• Extended throttle over 100% burns up jet engine
• Difficult take off
• Climbs like brick
• High speed + short wings = difficult turner
• Low roll stability
• Engine mounted on top, vertical maneuver techniques need to account for the pitching-down moment of the engine thrust
• Struggles to take-off on some airfields
• Engine overheats below 2000m significantly, a P-51D could potentially catch up at sea level
• Slow in level flight compared to other jets
• Lackluster armament compared to the far majority of other late-tier prop fighters and early jet

History

Initially this Heinkel fighter was designated He 500, but by October, in order to fool enemy intelligence services, the RLM redesignated the plane He 162; the number being previously assigned to a Messerschmitt fast bomber prototype that competed with the Ju 88. At the same time, the fighter was named the Salamander, which initially was the codename for the very same fast bomber design. The official name at the start of introduction was Volksjäger to emphasize the usage as every man's fighter similar to Volkswagen aka VW.

Overall 170 to 320 aircraft were produced, most of them A-2 variants. The previous A-1 were first fitted with Mk108, but these shocked the airframe too hard and were changed into the less recoil-heavy Mg151/20. An interesting feature is the dorsal mounted engine. It serves two purposes; first: Easier maintenance like with Me 262s underwing gondolas and second - and most importantly: The high installation greatly reduced foreign object damage - or FOD. Unpaved runways were common on all sides in WW2 and rocks and other debris were often sucked into the intake -- the main cause of engine failures in early jets.

Albeit named the Volksjäger, the jet was a dangerous vehicle for beginners. Short flight time and a high stall speed compared to the gliders most recruits trained on caused a high after-combat crash rate, especially on landing approaches. Pilots often failed to attain the recommended landing speed of 250 kph (100 more than the Bf109) due either inexperience or lack of fuel. The high landing speed was the cause of even more deadly problems.

In the air, however, the aircraft was praised even by its foes. Allied pilots loved to take the captured He 162s into the air, praising its smooth flight and good controlability. Only downside was the weak rudder and weak in the literal meaning. RAF pilot, Flt Lt R A Marks, despite being instructed not to use heavy rudder on high speed, performed a low-altitude, high-speed barrel roll during a demonstration. A fin and rudder assembly ripped out of its socket, the sudden loss of control and insufficient height resulted in a fatal crash.

Like the Me 262 Schwalbe the Volksjäger proved to be too little too late.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• encyclopedia page on aircraft;
• other literature.