Inter-Wars

Heinkel He 45 / Heinkel He 61

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He 45B-2

By 1931 the German aircraft industry had become less secretive in referring to its potential military designs as ‘training’ or ‘sporting’ aircraft. The He 45 was one of the first post 1919 aircraft to be built openly and specifically for military use. Following the basic Heinkel biplane design the prototype, designated He 45A (D-2477), flew for the first time in spring 1932, with a 600 hp BMW VI engine driving a two blade wooden propeller. It was unarmed, but sufficiently powerful to carry armament and a bombload. Sturdily constructed, the He 45 had twin tandem cockpits and was well suited for training duties. The second prototype was fitted with a four blade propeller, and production of the A series began in 1932. These unarmed aircraft had 660 hp engines and were used as trainers.
A third prototype developed into the armed He 45B series, which had one movable MG 15 7.9 mm (0.311 in) machine gun and one fixed 7.9 mm MG 17 and could carry a 200 kg (440 1b) bombload.
Many different versions were produced, including at least 11 testbeds. Structurally all were similar, using the contemporary mixed wood and metal framework, which was fabric covered. Ailerons were fitted on both upper and lower wings.
Total production was 512 aircraft, although Heinkel produced only 69 of these, including prototypes. The remainder were built under licence: by Focke Wulf (159 A 1 and A 2 series and 60 He 4513 1/13 2s); 126 AA/A 2s and 30 W1/B 2s by the Bayerische Flugzeug¬werke (BFW); and Gotha built 68 of the C series. Heinkel’s own somewhat smaller production total included many aircraft used only for test purposes, including trials with various BMW powerplants and the Daimler-Benz DB 600. In addition, a small export batch of He 45Bs was built for China, which had the separate designation He 61.
Although not a very noteworthy aeroplane in itself, the He 45 was in service in greater numbers than any other Luftwaffe type by 1936, and greatly assisted the development of the Luftwalle as a fighting force. Production totalled 512 aircraft. It also formed the basis of later and better known designs from the Heinkel company. The He 45C partially equipped Aufklarungsstallel A/88, the reconnaissance element of the German manned Legion Kondor in the Spanish Civil War, and 40 were delivered to a close support group of the rebel Spanish Nationalist air force, by whom it was nick-named Pavo (turkey). Only 21 remained in Luftwaffe service at the start of the Second World War, on reconnaissance or training duties, though temporary use was made of some in 1942 43 as night ‘nuisance’ raiders on the Russian Front.

He-45B
Engine: 1 x BMW-VI-J32, 550kW
Max take-off weight: 2745 kg / 6052 lb
Empty weight: 2105 kg / 4641 lb
Wingspan: 11.5/10.0 m / 37 ft 9 in / 32 ft 10 in
Length: 10.0 m / 32 ft 10 in
Height: 3.6 m / 11 ft 10 in
Wing area: 34.6 sq.m / 372.43 sq ft
Max. speed: 290 km/h / 180 mph
Cruise speed: 230 km/h / 143 mph
Ceiling: 5500 m / 18050 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 1200 km / 746 miles
Armament: 2 x 7.9mm machine-guns
Crew: 2

He 45B-2
Engine: BMW V1, 750 hp / 559kW

He45C
Span: 11.5 m
Length: 10 m
Gross weight: 2745 kg
Maximum speed: 290 kh

He 45

Heinkel He 12

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The Heinkel HE 12 was a pontoon-equipped mail plane built in Germany in 1929, designed to be launched by catapult from a liner at sea.

The concept was hit upon after Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) had carried a Junkers F.13 seaplane aboard the Lutzow during 1927 to provide joyrides for passengers when the liner was in port. NDL officials realised that a seaplane based on a liner could have a more practical commercial application, taking off with the liner’s airmail while still a long distance from port, therefore drastically cutting down time taken for the mail to arrive. Heinkel designed a catapult, which NDL planned to install on its new liners, the Bremen and Europa, and an aircraft to carry the mail. Since the crew of Lutzow had trouble providing the necessary maintenance for the F 13, Deutsche Luft Hansa agreed to provide the operational support for the venture, and when Bremen departed on her maiden voyage in 1929, a single HE 12 (D-1717) was carried aboard.

With the catapult the aircraft took-off at 110 kph / 69 mph at the nd of a ramp 20 m / 65 ft long.

The HE 12 was a derivative of the military HE 9 design; a conventional, low-wing, strut-braced monoplane. The pilot and radio operator sat in tandem, open cockpits with the mail carried in a compartment behind them.

On 22 July, while still 400 km (250 mi) out of New York City, Bremen successfully launched the HE 12. When the seaplane was unloaded 2+1⁄2 hours later, mail from Berlin had taken just 6+1⁄2 days to reach New York. The next day, in front of a crowd of 3,500 people, mayor Jimmy Walker christened the HE 12 with the name of the city. On the return journey, the newly christened New York launched from Bremen near Cherbourg on 1 August, landing in Bremerhaven four hours later, in time for the mail to be transferred to another aircraft and arrive in Berlin the same afternoon, 5+1⁄2 days after leaving New York. Use of the seaplane saved around 20 hours on the westward trip, and 1–2 days on the eastward journey.

HE 12 (D-1717, New York) flew regularly from Bremen until severely damaged in an accident at Cobequid Bay on 5 October 1931.

Engine: Pratt & Whitney Hornet, 450 hp
Wingspan: 16.7958 m (55 ft 1.25 in)
Wing area: 48.46 sq.m (522 sq ft)
Length: 11.56 m
Height: 4.60 m (15 ft 1 in)
Empty weight: 1580 kg (3,483 lb)
Normal take-off weight: 2600 kg (5,732 lb)
Payload: 200 kg mail
Maximum speed: 216 km/h
Cruise: 192 km/h (119 mph, 103 kn)
Range: 1600 km
Service ceiling: 3,800 m (12,500 ft)
Crew: 2

Heinkel He 8

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The He 8 floatplane, a development from the He 4 and 5, appeared in the autumn of 1927.

A single-engined seaplane with three seats inline in separated open cockpits. A low wing monoplane, braced underwing with by 4 pairs of masts in N configuration uniting the two floats in the catamaran and the base of the fuselage. The cantilever horizontal stabilizer was on the back of the fuselage. Construction was wood and fabric for the aerofoil, wood and plywood for the fuselage.
Powered was a 335kW / 450 hp Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar radial engine.
Twenty two were ordered by the Danish naval flying corps, 16 of which were built in Denmark under the designation H.M.II. They were mainly used for reconnaissance and survey work as far north as Greenland. Some served until 1940. Maximum level speed was 218km/h. Armament comprised a rear-mounted machine-gun.
Total production: 22

Engine Armstrong Jaguar IV 420 hp
Propeller: two-bladed wooden fixed pitch
Wingspan: 16,80 m / 55 ft 1.5 in
Length: 11,50 m / 37 ft 8.3 in
Height: 3,90 m
Wing area: 49 sq.m
Empty weight: 1500 kg
MTOW: 2325 kg / 5126 1b
Wingg loading: 47,5 kg.sq.m
Power loading: 5,476 kg/hp
Max speed: 210 kph
Ceiling: 6000 m
Range: 800 km
Armament: 1 Madsen 7,7 mm

Heinkel He 7

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The He 14 biplane designed as a torpedo carrier in 1925 had proved unsuccessful, for the lack of a suit-able powerplant, but in 1927 a three seat monoplane development appeared as the He 7. Powered by a 450 hp Bristol Jupiter VI engine, it showed more promise than its precursor. Production He 7s had three sep¬arate cockpits.

Heinkel He 6

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By 1927 the German authorities were becoming less intimidated by the restrictions imposed by the Versailles Treaty, and in that year Heinkel produced the He 6 reconnaissance seaplane. This incorporated much navigational and wireless equipment obviously with a view to future military use. The He 6 was a three/four seat long range monoplane, with an enclosed cockpit for the pilot, navigator and radio operator. Powerplant was an 800¬hp Packard engine.

Heinkel He 5

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Development of the basic design continued with the He 4 and He 5 reconnaissance seaplanes produced in 1926. Production figures for the He 5 are also unknown. It was fitted with the 335kW / 450 hp Napier Lion engine, and proved itself by gaining three world seaplane climb/payload records in September 1926.

A single-engined float seaplane, with three seats inline in separated open cockpits. A monoplane low wing braced underneath by 4 pairs of masts in N configuration uniting the two floats in the catamaran and the base of the fuselage. The cantilever horizontal stabilizer was directly on the back of the fuselage, two floats in catamaran. The He5 was constructed of wood, with a plywood wood coating for the fuselage.

The He 5 was licence-built in Sweden for the Navy by Svenska.

In the second-half of the 20’s the Soviets decided to acquire an aircraft carrier. Realising that experience of design of catapults nor suitable aircraft was in the country, thel VVS turned to the German firm “Ernst Heinkel.
In 1927 the Soviets purchased two He.5 float monoplanes. Tests showed that the flight-performance data was considerably lower than declared by firm, but the aircraft was steady, and it possesses not bad maneuverability. These machines served for a while in 65- m squadron, which was in Nakhimova bay in Sevastopol.
Total production: 100

He 5
Engine Napier Lion II, 450 hp
Propeller two-bladed wooden fixed pitch
Wingspan: 16,80 m
Length: 12,19 m
Height: 4,23 m
Wung area: 49 sq.m
Empty weight: 1634 kg
MTOW: 2900 kg
Wing loading: 59 kg/sq.m
Power loading: 6,4 kg/hp
Max speed: 230 kmh
Ceiling: 6000 m
Range: 800 km
Armament: 2 x 7,92 mm mg

He 5b
Engine: Bristol-board Jupiter VIII, 480 hp

He 5c
Engine: Bristol Pegasus IIm3, 660 hp
Max speed: 280 kph
Ceiling: 7000 m

Heinkel He 4

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Development of the basic design continued with the three-seat He 4 and He 5 reconnaissance seaplanes produced in 1926.
A single-engined three-seater with inline separated open cockpits. A monoplane low aerofoil braced under-wing by 4 pairs of masts in N configuration, uniting the two floats in the catamaran and the base of the fuselage. The cantilever horizontal stabilizer was placed directly on the back of the fuselage. Construction wood and fabric covered aerofoil, wood and plywood coating for the fuselage.
The He 4 was powered by the 268kW / 360-hp Rolls Royce Eagle IX, but it is doubtful whether it was produced in large numbers.
The He 4 was licence-built in Sweden for the Navy by Svenska.

Engine Rolls-Royce Eagle IX, 360 hp
Prop two-bladed wooden fixed Pitch
Wingspan: 17,99 m / 59 ft
Length: 12,50 m / 41 ft
Height: 3,65 m
Wing area: 52,50 sq.m
Empty weight: 1761 kg
MTOW: 2500 kg / 5510 1b
Wing loading: 47,619 kg/sq.m
Power loading: 6,944 kg/hp
Max speed: 180 kmh / 112 mph
ROC: 222 m/min
Landing speed: 87 km/h
Ceiling: 3800 m
Range: 800 km.

Heinkel He 3

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The He 3 which followed later in 1923 was a small cantilever monoplane with a monocoque wooden fuselage, accommodation for a crew of three, and powered by a 75 hp Siemens Halske radial. Its most interesting features were the easily removable wings and an undercarriage which allowed the quick interchange of landing wheels and floats. It is not known how many He 3s were built, but the type was used mostly for exhibition and sporting purposes. One, with a 100 hp Siemens engine, was first in its class at the 1923 Gothenburg seaplane exhibition.

Heinkel He 2

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The He.1s were followed rapidly by the He 2, a tandem two seat open cockpit seaplane, with larger span wings allowing better and safer takeoffs and landings.
Engine types again were varied, the 268kW / 360 hp Rolls Royce Eagle IX, 223kW Hispano-Suiza, or 298kW Liberty being preferred. He 2s were also built in Sweden by Svenska Aero AB and served with the Swedish air force in the reconnaissance role, continuing in front line service until 1928. In Sweden the He 1 and 2 were designated S 1 and S 2 respectively.
The Svenska S.2 was exported to Finland and possibly other countries.

Maximum level speed: 185km/h