The He 115 was developed as a torpedo-bomber, mine-laying and reconnaissance aircraft, during the mid-thirties by the Ernst Heinkel A.G. The two-engined all-metal mid-wing twin-floatplane possessed exceptional water handling qualities, good stability and an outstanding performance.
The He 115 V1 (D-AEHF) powered by two 960 hp BMW 132K nine-cylinder radials made the first flight in 1936. The second prototype He 115 V2 (D-APDS), with a slightly revised nose, flew also in 1936, as did the third prototype He 115 V3 (D-ABZV) with an entirely revised nose and having a glasshouse cockpit. The fourth prototype He 115 V4 (D-AHME) was the production prototype, having the bracing wires replaced by strut bracing.
Ten He 115 A-Os were built in 1937 as a pre-production series with a MG 15 machine gun for the observer, followed by the He 115 A-1 production model, differing only in having an additional MG 15 in the nose. This model was exported as the He 115 A-2 to Norway (6) and Sweden (10) in 1939. Norway's number increased in 1940 when two German He 115 B-1 models were captured. Later one He 115 A-2 fled to Finland; three He 115 A-2 and one He 115 B-1 reached Scotland, receiving the British s/ns BV184 to BV187. Two eventually saw action in British service when used in clandestine missions; the latest to retire was scrapped in 1943.
The sole example of the He 115 D was a conversion of a He 115 A-1, incorporating two 1,600 hp BMW801C radials, a crew of four and able to reach a top speed of 248 mph (399 kmh); it was employed operationally in 1941.
By 1940 seventy-six aircraft were built in several versions, and other versions proposed, but landplanes had production priority. However, the demand for floatplanes increased and late 1943 production was restarted with the He 115 E with 141 of this model delivered in 1944.
He 115 V1: He 115 V2: He 115 V3: He 115 V4: He 115 A-0: He 115 A-1: He 115 A-2: He 115 A-3: He 115 B-0: He 115 B-1: He 115 B-2 He 115 C-0: He 115 C-1: He 115 C-2: He 115 C-3: He 115 C-4: He 115 D: He 115 E-0: He 115 E-1:
first prototype
second prototype
third prototype
production prototype
pre-production A-series
production
export
redesigned bomb bay, renewed radio equipment
pre-production B-series
production, greater range
reinforced floats
pre-production C-series
production, additional defensive weapons, provision for auxiliary fuel tanks in bomb bay
reinforced float-planing bottoms for snow and ice operations
special mine-laying variant
torpedo-bomber, reduced defensive weapons
re-engined conversion of He 115 A-1
pre-production E-series
essentially similar to B- and C-models, rearranged defensive weapons
Specifications (He 115 B-1)
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Two-seat reconnaissance twin-float seaplane
Two 970 hp BMW 132K nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines
73 ft 1 in (22.28 m)
56 ft 9 in (17.30 m)
21 ft 7.75 in (6.60 m)
933.23 sq.ft (86.70 sq.m)
17,748 lb (8,050 kg)
22,928 lb (10,400 kg)
203 mph (327 km/h) at 11,150 ft (3,399 m)
769 ft (234 m)/min
17,060 ft (5,200 m)
2,080 mls (3,347 km)