CASA 2.111
CASA · Spain · first flew 1945 · bomber
The CASA 2.111 was a Spanish licence-built version of the German Heinkel He 111 medium bomber, produced by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA after the Second World War. Spain continued production using first Junkers Jumo engines and later Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, extending the He 111's service life by decades.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 16.4 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Spanish-built licence copy of the Heinkel He 111 bomber
- Distinctive asymmetric stepped glazed nose of the He 111 family
- Many re-engined with Rolls-Royce Merlin giving a changed sound and cowling profile
Identical to the He 111H in outline: the distinctive asymmetric stepped glazed nose, twin engines on a straight mid-wing, and the oval fuselage cross-section are the hallmarks. Merlin-engined examples have a more pointed, symmetrical cowling than the original Jumo installation.
Specifications
- The CASA 2.111 has a length of 16.4 m (54 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 22.5 m (74 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 440 km/h (273 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
CASA began licence production of the He 111H-16 in Spain during the Second World War, and deliveries to the Spanish Air Force continued well into the 1950s. The Jumo 211 engines proved difficult to source post-war, leading to re-engining with the Rolls-Royce Merlin — the same engine used by many of the He 111's wartime opponents. The type served in Spain until 1973 and became famous as a stand-in for German He 111s in numerous war films.
Variants
The 2.111A used Jumo 211F engines; the 2.111B used Rolls-Royce Merlin 500 engines, significantly altering the cowling profile.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire) from the late 1940s until 1973; used extensively as a film prop for WWII productions.
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