Germany's Heinkel He 111 bomber, Spaten (Spade)1
Heinkel He 1112
Heinkel He 111 bomber:
Heinkel He 111 bomber:
Heinkel He 111 bomber:
Heinkel He 111 bomber:
Design
Due to restrictions after World War I the Heinkel He 111 was disguised as an airliner, and flew with Lufthansa.1 It however, could be converted into a bomber.1
Crew
The pilot sat on the left, and the bombardier on the right in the cabin.1 There was a gangway that went between the bomb racks back to the rear compartment that held the gunners and radio operator.1
There was a ventral gondola that had a MG in it.1 However, it was called the Sterbebett (Deathbed) as it was very vulnerable to attacks from below.1
Cockpit
The allies soon learned to attack from the front of the He 111 as there was no armor in front.1
Wings
The broad dihedral wings gave excellent stability and the ability for the He 111 to carry heavy loads.1
Fuselage
The fuselage and tail section was made from metal, including the skin.1 The allowed for great durability, and sometimes could even fly with a destroyed elevator.1
Rocket Assist
Rockets could be fitted to help the He 111 take off from short or rough fields or with heavy loads.1
Prototype
The He 111 first flew at Marienehe on February 24, 1934.1,2
Production
Over 7,300 He 111s were produced.1,2
- He 111P: Delivered in 1939.2
Variants
- He 111B-1: Had stepped wind screen and elliptical leading edges on the wings.2
- He 111F: Straight leading wing edge.2
- He 111H: Had Junkers Jumo 211 engines.2
- He 111H-6: Torpedo version.2
- He 111H-8: Had a balloon cable fender.2
- He 111H-11/R2: Glider tug for the Go 242.2
- He 111H-14: Pathfinder version with special radio.2
- He 111H-15: Torpedo version.2
- He 111H-16: Had an increase in armament.2
- He 111H-18: Pathfinder version with special radio.2
- He 111H-20: A transport that could carry 16 paratroopers.2
- He 111H-22: Carried a Fi 103 missile.2
- He 111P: Had a fully glazed asymmetric nose with no wind screen steps.2 Had a DB 601Aa engine.2
- He 111Z: Was two He 111s joined together with a fifth engine.2 Used to tow Me 323.2
Usage
Spain
The Condor Legion was supplied with the He 111 in the Spanish Civil War.1
He 111B-1 was used in Spain.2
| Heinkel He 111H-161,2 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Medium bomber1,2 |
| Crew | 4 - 51, 52 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Junkers Jumo 211F-2 piston1 2: Junkers Jumo 211F piston2 |
| Cylinders | Inline2 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 1,350 each1,2 |
| Propeller blades | |
| Fuel capacity | Inner wing: 182 gallons1 Inner wing: 700 liters1 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 74' 1"1, 74' 1.75"2 22.6 m1,2 |
| Length | 53' 9"1, 53' 9.5"2 16.4 m1,2 |
| Height | 13' 1"1, 13' 1.25"2 3.4 m2, 4 m1 |
| Wing area | 931 ft2 1, 931.07 ft2 2 86.5 m2 1,2 |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 19,096 lb1, 19,136 lb2 8,680 kg1,2 |
| Loaded | 30,800 lb1, 30,865 lb2 14,000 kg1,2 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 19,685' / 6,000 m |
271 mph2 436 kph2 |
| Speed @ 20,000' / 6,000 m |
270 mph1 435 kph1 |
| Climb to 19,685' / 6,000 m |
42 minutes2 |
| Service ceiling | 21,980'2, 28,000'1 6,700 m2, 8,500 m1 |
| Range | 1,200 miles1, 1,212 miles2 1,950 km1,2 |
| Armament | |
| Guns | 1: 20 mm1 1: 13 mm1 9: 7.92 mm MG1 |
| Nose | 1: 20 mm MG FF2 |
| Dorsal | 1: 13 mm MG 1312 |
| Ventral | 2: 7.2 mm MG 152 |
| Beam | 2: 7.9 mm MG 812 |
| Bombs | 4,409 lb2, 7,775 lb1 2,000 kg2, 3,307 kg1 |
| Production |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
