The leader of the Hansa project was Hans Wocke, a former Junkers engineer in Dessau, who was involved in the construction of the Ju-287 (a jet bomber with forward swept wings).

After World War II. Wocke and a lot of other Junkers engineers and technicians were forced to work for several years in the Soviet Union where they developed several military jets like the type 150. These men returned to Germany from 1950 to 1954 and took part in the development of the East-German aeronautics industry. As chief developer of the VEB Flugzeugwerft Dresden Hans Wocke was involved in the construction of the first German passenger jet "152" (also called "Baade 152").

But in 1957 Wocke went to West Germany (before the first flight of the "152" in 1958), where he came to the Hamburger Flugzeugbau (HFB).

The design of this unconventional jet was started in march 1961. It was intended primarily as a 6/11-seat executive transport, but was projected also as 12-passenger feeder-liner and for a variety of military duties. The most notable feature of the aircraft is the forward swept wings which are mid-placed on the fuselage. This arrangement allows the wing spar to pass through the fuselage behind the passenger cabin without adversely effecting available space.

Numerous wind tunnel measuring were carried out in Torrejon (Spain) and Göttingen (Germany). Construction of a protoype was started on August 1, 1962.

The prototype V1 of the HFB 320 Hansa Jet reg. D-CHFB took off for first flight at Hamburg-Finkenwerder by Loren William Davis and H. Bardill on April 21st, 1964.
The first flight lasted for 73 minutes and went to Bremen-Lemwerder.
An intensive prooftesting was started. The chief of this test programm was Dr. Studer. The V1 protoype was equipped with a numerous measuring equipment (310 measuring values could be determined).

D-CHFB crashed during the 121st test flight on May 12, 1965; but a second prototype has been flying since October 19, 1964, and manufacture of the first 10 production Hansas was scheduled for completion early in 1966. The first delivery to a customer was to General Air of Hamburg in March 1968. Two prototypes and 45 aircrafts were produced.

FS-Design Berlin - HFB History

Technical data

Construction: Hamburger Flugzeugbau / MBB
Crew: 2
Engine: 2x General Electric CJ 601-9
Type: jet engine
Thrust: 2x 13.78 kN
Speed: max. 825 kms/h
Range: 2,370 kms incl. spare
Weight (empty): 5,425 kgs
Take-off weight: 9,200 kgs
Span width: 14.49 m
Length: 16.61 m (without bow radom)
Height: 4.94 m
Aerofoil: 30.14 m²

The aircraft (reg. D-COSA) exhibited in the museum was used as executive jet for Messerschmitt. It was stationned in Munich / Riem and took managers and members of staff of MBB to Italy or England during the time the Tornado was developed. The plane is completely preserved, only both engines were dismantled and provide the re-built Me 262 of the Messerschmitt-foundation with the necessary propulsion now.