Heinkel He 64

Heinkel

Industry	Aerospace
Founder	Siegfried and Walter Günter
Headquarters	Germany
Products	Aircraft

The Heinkel He 64 was a sports aircraft engineered by the German aeronautical designers Siegfried and Walter Günter and manufactured by Heinkel. It was purpose-built to compete in the 1933 touring plane championships.

This sleek, low-wing monoplane featured a traditional layout with fixed tailskid landing gear and a well-appointed, relatively roomy cockpit. Its design included an innovative single-spar trapezoidal slotted wing capable of folding—the first of its kind. The automatic slots enabled steep climb angles and relatively slow landing speeds. Both the wing and fuselage were predominantly constructed from wood. The He 64 could be equipped with several engines, including the de Havilland Gipsy III, Hirth HM 504A-2, Hirth HM 506, and Argus As 8R powerplants.

After its maiden flight in 1933, the aircraft quickly took part in multiple air competitions, notably securing the top three positions in the 7,363 km (4,601 mi) Europa Rundflug ("Rally over Europe"). Although it was soon eclipsed by newer models, the He 64 remained in use for test flights for some time. Reports suggest at least one unit remained operational into the early 1950s.

Development

In the early 1930s, Heinkel embarked on creating an aircraft that combined high-speed capabilities with compliance to the demands of the 3rd International Touring Contest. The resulting He 64 significantly outperformed previous competition planes in sustained top speed; while organizers expected a six-day completion for the approximately 7,500 km route, this model accomplished it in just three days. Despite this leap in performance, designers maintained a strong focus on comfort and safety.

The He 64 was a wooden-constructed, twin-seat cantilever low-wing monoplane. Its cockpit accommodated two occupants comfortably, each with adjustable seating and armrests, along with a comprehensive instrument panel. The passenger seat could be fitted with detachable dual flight controls easily disengaged by the pilot. Access was facilitated through a sliding transparent canopy providing weather protection and excellent visibility. The pilot enjoyed exceptional all-around views, including downward sightlines. Communication between pilot and passenger was enhanced by an installed talking tube. Safety equipment included fire extinguishers, life jackets, parachutes, a first aid kit, seat belts, and fire-resistant doping on surfaces.

The fuselage featured an oval cross-section built primarily from bulkheads and longerons. The foremost bulkhead served as a firewall directly attached to the steel tube engine mount. To reduce vibration transmission from the engine to the airframe, rubber buffers were installed. The fuselage exterior was covered with three-ply wood panels incorporating small access hatches for ease of inspection. Aerodynamically efficient semi-circular cabin contours were integrated into the design.

The aircraft’s wing consisted of a single-spar trapezoidal slotted structure made entirely of wood and bolted to the central section. This wing type was reportedly the first implementation of a slotted wing using only one spar. Folding capability was enabled by omitting conventional sheet covering at the wing joint, creating a narrow gap approximately one millimeter wide. Automated slots worked in conjunction with trailing flaps to allow steep climbs and low-speed landings.

The tail assembly mirrored the main wing’s wooden construction and three-ply covering. Control surfaces were operated conventionally via a standard control stick and rudder pedals. The undercarriage utilized streamlined tubes designed to be interchangeable for simplified maintenance. It incorporated an oleo-pneumatic shock absorber combined with a rubber-sprung tailskid. Braking was controlled by a hand lever positioned within the cockpit.

Powerplants around 150 hp could be installed to propel the aircraft, including models such as the de Havilland Gipsy III, Hirth HM 504A-2, Hirth HM 506, and Argus As 8R. These engines were mounted in the nose beneath lightweight metal cowling. Fuel delivery was managed via pumps. The primary oil reservoir was located behind the forward bulkhead, with an auxiliary tank placed aft of the pilot’s position.

Operational history

Six aircraft participated in the championships, representing nearly all units produced, with the sole exception being the initial prototype, which had been lost in a crash.

The He 64 models demonstrated strong performance across multiple speed competitions. They secured the top three positions in the 7,363 km (4,601 mi) Europa Rundflug ("Rally over Europe") and dominated the highest speed trials by capturing the first five spots. Additionally, they achieved notable rankings in a minimum speed contest. Despite not winning in other categories, these results enabled pilot Fritz Morzik to finish tied for second place overall in the event.Template:Fix/category

In 1933, a single He 64C was brought into the United Kingdom to support flap development research. Initially operated by aircraft manufacturer Handley Page, it was later flown by the Royal Aircraft Establishment by 1935. This particular plane remained in use as late as 1952 in Rhodesia.Template:Fix/category

Variants

He 64a

The original prototype of the He 64 series.

He 64b

The first production variant.

He 64c

A subsequent production model that accommodated various engines such as the de Havilland Gipsy III, Hirth HM 504A-2, and Hirth HM 506.

He 64d

Two units of a high-speed variant were manufactured, equipped with the standard Argus As 8R engine but featuring elliptical planform wings similar to those on the He 70 and lacking Handley Page slats. This modification boosted maximum velocity to 290 km/h (180 mph).

Specifications (He 64b)

File:Heinkel He 64 3-view L'Aerophile Salon 1932.jpg

Three-view illustration of the Heinkel He 64 from L'Aerophile Salon 1932

Bibliography

• "Heinkel He 64 C sport airplane (German): a two-seat low-wing cantilever monoplane" National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, 1 February 1933. NACA-AC-175, 93R19649.

External links

• Heinkel He-64