HEINKEL HE 343

The Heinkel He 343 was a project of a German WWII bomber and fighter. The propulsion was likely to be provided by four jet engines Heinkel HeS 011 or Junkers Jumo 004. The deck armament was to consist of four 30mm Mk.108 cannons. The machine was supposed to be able to take up to 3,000 kg of bombs on board. The plane, however, has never been tested, nor has it entered mass production. The design work for the Heinkel He 343 has been largely based on the experience and lessons learned from the production and operation of the Arado Ar-234. It was planned to produce as many as four versions of this aircraft. The first one (designation: He 343 A-1) was to be a bomber. The second (He 343 A2) was planned as a recon vehicle, and finally the last two (He 343 A-3 and B) were planned as heavy jet fighters capable of fighting Allied strategic bombers. A preliminary order was placed for 20 copies of this aircraft, but in 1944 the order was canceled. Thus, the Heinkel He 343 project was never realized. It is worth noting, however, that he greatly contributed to the creation - after the end of World War II - of the Soviet Il-22 bomber project.