Heinkel He-177 Greif May 2026

"Luftwaffenfeuerzeug" (Luftwaffe's Lighter), "Flaming Coffin" Radical Engine Design & "Flaming Coffin" Reputation

The (Griffin) was Nazi Germany's only operational long-range heavy bomber during World War II. Despite possessing a range and payload capacity comparable to Allied four-engine bombers like the B-17 and B-24 , the aircraft is best known for its catastrophic technical failures. Quick Facts Manufacturer Heinkel Flugzeugwerke Introduction Number Built Approximately 1,169 Powerplant 2x Daimler-Benz DB 610 "coupled" systems (4 engines total) Max Speed 311–351 mph (variant dependent) Range ~3,100–3,480 miles Nicknames Heinkel He-177 Greif