I think you might be getting a little confused with the Heinkel He 280; the world’s first fighter jet, the first twin engined jet and the first to be fitted with an ejection seat – which was also actually used in emergency. The He 162 didn’t have one and from what I’ve read it was a bast*rd to fly.

Me 262, followed closely by the Vampire (Spider Crab). Me 163 for pure exoticism, although can an aircraft with a reputation for killing more of its pilots than enemy ones be included for greatness?

Hi,
The 162 did have an ejector seat and was apparently a delight to fly, however not for a 16 year old member of the HJ!

http://www.ejectionsite.com/he162seat.htm

It’s a design I would love to see be reproduced with a modern motor, I can imagine it being quite something to fly!

I love the mix of a very wartime looking base with the high tech Kestrel, shows how quickly technology was moving! What exciting times they must have been
Matt

Having myself stuck my hand into the inlet of a running gas turbine (those things sure can suck!), I have to be very careful about who I call a muppet these days….

Yes thats a pretty scary video, what everyone who plays with gas turbines fears!

This one is a personal favourite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrAeUf7v49g

Does anyone have an idea how this crimping was done to the metal labelling tags? Sorry the picture is not too clear.
Thanks
Matt

Didn’t someone tell you? 109’s are dangerous!

I believe Erich Hartmann was imprisoned in the Gulags by the Russians for war crimes due to the number of people allegedly killed and the damage to property caused by the fallout from his cannon and mg rounds; I dont have his book to hand to confirm this but if someone does and could reproduce what he wrote I would be most appreciative!
Matt