Heinkel He 115

He 115C

Technical data (He 115C-1)

Type:Three-seat General-Purpose andTorpedo-Bomber Float-Seaplane

Power Plant: Two BMW 132K nine-cylinder radialair-cooled engines each rated at 960 h.p. for take-off and 830 h.p. at2790 ft

Armament: One 7.9-mm MG 15 machine gun with525 rounds on flexible mounting in nose, one fixed forward-firing 15-mmMG 151 cannon, one fixed aft-firing 7.9-mm MG 17 machine gun in each enginenacelle, and one 7.9-mm MG 15 machine gun with 1500 rounds on flexiblemounting in dorsal position. (Offensive) One LTF 5 or LTF 6b torpedo,one 2028-lb LMB III or two 1102-lb LMA mines, three 551-lb SC 250 bombs internallyand two 551-lb SC bombs externally, or one 1102-lb SC 500 or SD 500 bomb.

Performance:

  • maximum speed: 180 m.p.h. at sea level, 186 m.p.h. at 3280 ft, 180m.p.h. at 6560 ft
  • cruising speed (85% power): 168 m.p.h. at sea level, 174 m.p.h.at 3280 ft, 180 m.p.h. at 6560 ft
  • climb to 3280 ft.: 5.1 min.; to 6560 ft.: 11.4 min.; to 9840 ft.:22.3 min.
  • service ceiling: 16950 ft.
  • normal range: 1550 miles
  • maximum range: 1740 miles at 9840 ft
  • normal endurance: 6.5 hrs
  • maximum endurance: 18 hrs

Weights:

  • empty equipped: 15146 lb.
  • loaded: 23545 lb.

Dimensions:

  • span: 73 ft. 1 in.
  • length: 56 ft. 9 in.
  • height: 21 ft. 7.75 in.
  • wing area: 933.23 sq. ft.

Versions

Prototypes:

  • He 115 V1 – (D-AEHF), flew 8.37; modified in early 1938 for recordbreaking purposes
  • He 115 V2 – (D-APDS), flew 11.37, smooth NACA-type engine cowlings,dual controls
  • He 115 V3 – (D-ABZV), flew 3.38, A-series prototype
  • He 115 V4 – (D-AHME), flew 5.38, production prototype
  • He 115 V5 – rebuilt A-0, prototype for B-series, flew in summer1939; tested in early 1940 with MG FF cannon

Models:

  • He 115A-0 – 10 delivered 1938.
  • He 115A-1 – delivered from 1.39; loaded weight increased from 20613to 21164 lb, last few delivered as A-3.
  • He 115A-2 – export model, similar to A-1. MG 15 removed, Goertzsight. 18 delivered.
  • He 115A-3 – improved A-1, only few delivered. Updated radio equipmentand improved weapons release mechanism
  • He 115B-0 – 10 delivered from 11.39 by Weser; structural strengthening,more fuel, normal loaded wight increased to 22972 lb.
  • He 115B-1 – deliveries from 12.39; maximum loaded weight was 23820lb.;
  • He 115B-1/R1: had two Rb reconnaissance cameras
  • He 115B-1/R2: had necessary rack to carry a single 1102 lb. SC orSC 500 bomb
  • He 115B-1/R3: had release equipment for two 1102 lb. LMA IIIaerial mines or one 2028 lb. LMB III mine.
  • He 115B-2: 18 delivered; reinforced float planing bottoms, and fittedwith steel skids for operation from snow and ice
  • He 115C-1: a 15-mm MG 151 and two fixed aft-firing 7.9-mm MG 17was added;
  • He 115C-1/R1: had two Rb reconnaissance cameras
  • He 115C-1/R2: had necessary rack to carry a single 1102 lb. SC orSC 500 bomb
  • He 115C-1/R3: had release equipment for two 1102 lb. LMA IIIaerial mines or one 2028 lb. LMB III mine.
  • He 115C-1/R4: had SV 300 smoke-screen apperatus for convoy escorttasks
  • He 115C-2: similar modifications as the B-2 model
  • He 115C-3: 18 delivered, specially equipped for the minelaying role
  • He 115C-4: for use in the Arctic in the torpedo-dropping role; noforward-firing armament
  • He 115D: single aircraft, rebuilt B-0 model; tested 1940; two 14-cylinderBMW 801MA radials, 4 crew, MG 151/MG 81J/MG 81Z armament; Many survivingHe 115 were fitted with heavier armament in 1942-43, some with the MG81Z twin-gun installation in the dorsal position.

Production:

  • 1938: Heinkel (Marienehe), 10
  • 1939: Heinkel (Marienehe), 52; Weser Flugzeugbau (Einswarden),10
  • 1940: Weser Flugzeugbau (Einswarden), 66

Units:

  • Küstenfliegergruppe 106
  • Küstenfliegergruppe 406
  • Küstenfliegergruppe 506
  • Küstenfliegergruppe 706
  • Küstenfliegergruppe 906
  • Kampfgeschwader 200

Exports:

  • Norway: 6 He 115A-2 delivered 1939 (2. Flyafdeling).
  • Sweden: 12 He 115A-2 delivered 1939 (Flotilla F2).

Preserved aircraft:

None survives today.