Heinkel He 115

Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1937 · bomber

The Heinkel He 115 was a German twin-engine monoplane floatplane used primarily as a torpedo bomber, mine-layer, and maritime reconnaissance aircraft throughout World War II.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	17.3 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Twin-engine German torpedo bomber floatplane of WWII
Large twin floats under low-mid wing monoplane
Two BMW 132 radial engines on tapered wings

A large twin-radial-engine floatplane monoplane with a conventional tail and twin main floats; the size and twin-engine configuration distinguish it from the He 114 biplane; the broad tapered wing and large floats are characteristic.

Specifications

The Heinkel He 115 has a length of 17.3 m (57 ft).
It has a wingspan of 22.28 m (73 ft).
Its maximum speed is 335 km/h (208 mph).
Typical crew: 3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

First flown in 1937, the He 115 entered Luftwaffe service in 1939 and operated in the North Sea, Baltic, and Arctic, laying mines and attacking Allied shipping. Norwegian He 115s escaped to Britain after the fall of Norway and flew special operations missions for the RAF.

Variants

The He 115A was the initial production version; the He 115B had increased fuel; the He 115C carried heavier armament; the He 115E was the final improved version.

Where you'll see it

Served with the Luftwaffe in all northern European theatres; captured Norwegian examples flew clandestine missions for the RAF, an unusual chapter in the aircraft's history.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.