HFB 320
The Hansa-Jet HFB-320, the first German business jet, was designed under the direction of Dipl. Ing. Hans Wolcke at the Hamburger Flugzeugbau (HFB) in the early 1960s. The all-metal aircraft, which was designed to carry twelve passengers, successfully completed its 45 minute maiden flight on April 21, 1964 in Finkenwerder, Hamburg.
Because of its tremendous high maximum speed of up to 850 kilometers per hour, the Hansa-Jet was well suited as a comfortable aircraft for commercial travelers. A unique feature this business and passenger aircraft were the swept-forward wings, which had already been used, likewise by Wocke, at end of the Second World War for the four-jet bomber Junkers Ju 287, which at that time created a sensation. The passenger compartment was very spacious due to the unusual wing root behind the pressurized cabin, so that the passengers could not only stand up easily, but also could enjoy easy freedom of movement because of the missing wing spar. The following models of the first prototype experienced only minor changes.
Predominantly European partners participated in manufacturing this German business jet. The Hamburger Flugzeugbau was responsible for the fuselage and the section center as well as the engine pods and the control system. Fokker (The Netherlands), Casa (Spain) and Lockheed were gained as partners for this project. General Electric produced the propulsion system for the HFB-320.
In February 1967, this passenger jet aircraft was certified by the "Luftfahrtbundesamt", the German Aviation Authority. Two months later, on April 7, 1967, the Hansa-Jet could be used worldwide thanks to the international certification. The Hamburger Flugzeugbau expected numerous orders especially from the USA. These hopes were based on the fact that the much praised HFB-320 could serv not only as a passenger aircraft, but also as an aerial photogrammetry aircraft, an airborne simulator, a trainer and a transport aircraft.
Altogether 47 machines were manufactured in Finkenwerder; some of them are still in service in the USA and Turkey. The strong competition of international aircraft manufacturers and the decline of the US Dollar put a stop to the further development of the Hansa - Jet at the end of the 1960s.
Technical data
HFB320
| Power plant | 2 General Electric CJ610-5 with 12.80 kN each |
Performance
| Top speed | 850 km/h |
| Cruising speed | 704 km/h |
| Fuel | 3,310 kg |
| Range | 2,410 km |
Weight
| Empty weight | 4,420 kg |
| Take-off weight | 9,200 kg |
Dimensions
| Span | 14.49 m |
| Length | 16.61 m |
| Height | 4.94 m |
| Wing span area | 30.14 qm |
| Passengers | 12 persons |
