One of the more
interesting aircraft of WWII was the He-100. Designed to replace the Bf-109 and
to win the world air speed record, the He-100 was a superlative airframe that
was handicapped by its steam/evaporative cooling system. This system was
designed to eliminate bulky and speed-robbing coolant radiators by imbedding the
coolant system in the airframe panels. Well, the system did work, but it was
more maintenance intensive than the standard system and seemingly more prone to
damage from bullets, thought that part of the theory has never really been
tested in combat.
Then there was the sad fact that Heinkel was considered a
'bomber company' and aside from the He-219 night fighter, his fighter designs
were never really given an opportunity to prove themselves.
This is the full story of the He-100 and includes all the
propaganda around it that resulted in it being called the He-112U and the
He-113. So well done was this that even in mid-war, the He-113 was claimed as
shot down in combat reports.
The He-100 will always be considered an amazing design. Here
was an airframe that could have easily be transformed into a viable fighter
that, with the same tricked out engine as powered the Messerschmitt Me-209v1 (a
purpose-built record breaking aircraft), was able to set the world's speed
record and was prepared to break it again when the German military put a stop to
it.
As you can imagine there are a lot of 'what ifs' surrounding
the He-100. All of the design and development and use by both the Soviets and
Japanese is included in these pages. An excellent read with superlative photos,
many not seen before on this most interesting aircraft. A book I can highly
recommend to you.
December 2007
Review book courtesy of
Specialty Press
,
where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and
modeling books. Visit their website at the link above or call them at
1-800-895-4585
If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly, please contact
me or see other details in the Note to
Contributors.