MESSERSCHMITT MBB HFB 320 “HANSA”€

1966’€“74

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hansa Jet, which first flew in 1966 and received FAA certification in 1967, is uniquely identified by its 15-degree forward-swept wings.
  • This distinctive forward-sweep design was implemented to mitigate undesirable control issues at transonic speeds by optimizing airflow.
  • Capable of seating 15 passengers, the aircraft served both as an executive transport and a feeder liner.
  • Production of the Hansa Jet began with Hamburger Flugzeugbau and later continued under the Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) name after a 1969 merger.
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STANDARD DATA: Seats 15. Gross wt. 20,280. Empty wt. 11,960. Fuel capacity 1,099. Engines two 3,108-lb. s.t. General Electric turbojets.
PERFORMANCE: Top mph 513. Cruise mph 420. Stall mph 111. Initial climb rate 4,250. Range 1,472. Ceiling 40,000. Takeoff distance (50′) 2,740. Landing distance (50′) 4,429.

The first production Hansa Jet flew on February 2, 1966, and received FAA certification on April 7, 1967. The Hansa 320 is one of the most distinctive commercial jet designs and is easily identified by the 15-degree forward sweep of the wings. Aerodynamically, the forward sweep of the wings performs the same function as the rearward sweep. The forward sweep forestalls the undesirable control problems that occur as the upper- wing airflow reaches transsonic speed by directing the airflow spanwise. The Hansa can be used as an executive transport or as a 15-passenger feeder liner. Production of the Hansa was initiated by Hamburger Flugzeugbau and carried the name of Messerschmitt- Bolkow-Blohm (MBB) when the two large German aircraft companies merged in 1969.

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