04/30/2014. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The mockup of the "He 116 for special purposes" was inspected on February 3, 1939, whereafter the construction of twelve He 116 A-0 long-range photo reconnaissance aircraft was approved. Derived from the civil He 116, this version had a fully glazed and longer nose section. On outbreak of WW II in September 1939, the He 116 was one of the aircraft of which development was halted, however, the twelve "special purpose" aircraft (c/n 3052 to 3063) were to be finished.

The first production aircraft (pictured above) completed its first flight in April 1940, and production ended in December 1940. The production aircraft were designated He 116 A-0 and not He 116 B-0, as incorrectly stated in many publications, and initially all had civil registrations, later they received military codes (StKz - Stammkennzeichen or VKz - Verbandskennzeichen). As the He 116 A-0 was unarmed it was operated over Germany and occupied territories only, but never near the frontline.

The type served first in the Versuchstelle für Höhenflüge (test center for high-altitude flights) and with reconnaissance groups of the supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, later they were deregulated to LdKdo (Luftdienstkommandos, air service commands) and schools. In January 1944, only three were still in the inventory of the Luftwaffe, two of them in schools."

Span: 72 ft 2 in (22.00 m)
Length: 46 ft 11 in (14.30 m)
Height: 10 ft 10 in (3.30 m)
Wing area: 678 sq.ft (63.00 sq.m)
Empty weight: 8,862 lb ( kg)
Loaded weight: 15,533 lb ( kg)
Max speed: 202 mph (325 kmh) at 9,843 ft (3,000 m)
Max cruise speed: 186 mph (299 kmh) at 9,843 ft (3,000 m)
Climb: to 13,123 ft (4,000 m) 17 min
Service ceiling: 21,325 ft (6,500 m)
Range: 2,120 mls (1,317 km)