Tamiya 1:48 Heinkel He162 A-2 'Salamander'

The Tamiya 1:48 Heinkel He 162 A-2 “Salamander” is a plastic scale model kit of one of the most unusual German fighters of World War II, the jet-powered He 162 Volksjäger (“People’s Fighter”).

About the aircraft

The real Heinkel He 162 A-2 Salamander was a late-war German single-engine jet fighter designed under extreme time and resource pressures in 1944–45.

Key characteristics of the real aircraft:

• single BMW 003 turbojet engine mounted above the fuselage

• very lightweight wooden construction (due to material shortages)

• designed for rapid mass production

• intended for inexperienced pilots (“Volksjäger” program)

• armed typically with:

  • 2 × 20mm MG 151 cannons

• extremely fast but difficult and dangerous to fly

• saw very limited operational service at the end of WWII

• A-2 variant featured improved armament over earlier versions

It was one of the Luftwaffe’s last attempts to field a modern jet fighter.

About the model kit

The Tamiya 1:48 He 162 A-2 Salamander is a compact and highly detailed aircraft kit representing this late-war jet fighter.

Typical features include:

• 1:48 scale plastic aircraft kit

• detailed BMW 003 jet engine and intake/exhaust sections

• accurately shaped lightweight fuselage

• detailed cockpit with late-war instrumentation

• realistic landing gear

• optional underwing or armament detailing (depending on boxing)

• Luftwaffe late-war decal markings

The kit is designed for clean assembly and striking display due to the aircraft’s unique design.

Key features

✔ 1:48 scale German WWII jet fighter
✔ Heinkel He 162 A-2 “Salamander”
✔ Detailed turbojet engine representation
✔ Late-war Luftwaffe markings included
✔ Unique top-mounted engine design
✔ Compact, high-impact aircraft model

Typical build use

This kit is ideal for:

• WWII German jet aircraft collections

• late-war Luftwaffe aviation displays

• experimental aircraft progression builds

• “last days of the Luftwaffe” dioramas

• intermediate aircraft modelling projects

Skill level

Beginner to Intermediate

Suitable for:

• aircraft modellers new to jets

• hobbyists interested in late-war German technology

• builders focused on unique aircraft designs

Ideal for

• WWII aviation enthusiasts

• Luftwaffe collectors

• 1:48 scale aircraft modellers

• experimental jet aircraft fans

• Tamiya aircraft kit fans

Summary

The Tamiya 1:48 Heinkel He 162 A-2 “Salamander” is a detailed model of Germany’s emergency late-war jet fighter, representing one of the most unusual and rapidly developed aircraft of WWII’s final months.