| He 115 | |
|---|---|
 Finnish Air Force He 115 N | |
| General information | |
| Type | Torpedo bomber seaplane |
| Manufacturer | Heinkel |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | Luftwaffe |
| Number built | 138 |
| History | |
| Introduction date | 1939 |
| First flight | August 1937 |
The Heinkel He 115 was an all-metal twin-engined military seaplane designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Heinkel. Early on its flying history, the He 115 established several new international records for floatplanes.[1]
The He 115 was developed during the latter half of the 1930s in response to a requirement issued by the German Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM). Heinkel opted to design a three-seat seaplane that could function as a torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft and minelayer. The initial model of the aircraft, the first prototype of which performed its maiden flight in August 1937, was powered by a pair of 960 PS (947 hp, 720 kW) BMW 132K nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines. Subsequent models varied in several respects, such as being equipped with different engines or alternative armament arrangements, increased fuel capacity or payload, and some He 115s could even accommodate an additional crew member.
The He 115 saw active combat with multiple operators, particularly during its service with the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Early on in the conflict, German He 115s frequently deployed mines within British waters. It proved itself to be a capable anti-shipping platform, particularly against Arctic supply convoys. Other nations flew the He 115, the majority being Scandinavian. The Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service operated a number that flew missions against the German invasion of Norway; several survivors escaped the occupation by flying to the UK, where they continued to be flown against the Germans until they were lost. By the twenty-first century, while a few airframes have survived, none are currently on display to the public and none are flightworthy.