Tamiya Plastic Model Kit

Heinkel He162 A-2 Salamander (1/48) 61097

This Tamiya 1/48 scale kit replicates the Heinkel He162 A-2 Salamander, a late-war Luftwaffe jet fighter conceived as a low-cost, quickly produced aircraft. Developed in just three months, the He162 featured a largely wooden airframe and a top-mounted BMW003 turbojet engine, giving it a top speed of 838 km/h and making it the fastest operational jet fighter of WWII.

• 1/48 scale Heinkel He162 A-2 Salamander
• Top-mounted BMW003 turbojet with optional open or closed engine bay
• Display dolly for separate engine presentation
• Highly detailed cockpit with removable ejector seat
• Open or closed canopy options
• Includes one pilot figure
• Decals for four authentic Luftwaffe markings

First deployed in March 1945, the He162 was intended as a “people’s fighter,” relying on simple construction techniques and non-strategic materials like wood. Despite limited time in service, it achieved some combat successes against Allied aircraft. Pilots praised its speed and agility, though its rushed development led to structural weaknesses. The Salamander remains a striking example of late-war German aviation design, representing both ingenuity and desperation in the closing months of the conflict.