The Heinkel He 115 stood out as one of the most uncommon seaplanes deployed by the Luftwaffe during World War II, seeing extensive use along the “Eismeer” front, notably in Norway and Finland.

Despite the cessation of its production as early as 1940, the Aircraft continued to be operational until the cessation of hostilities in May 1945.

The Heinkel He 115, featured a three-seat configuration. Its primary roles included torpedo bombing, along with other general seaplane tasks like reconnaissance and laying mines. This aircraft was equipped with a pair of 960 PS (947 hp, 706 kW) BMW 132K nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines. Variants introduced later accommodated a fourth crew member, incorporated alternate engines, or featured varied armament setups.

Contents

• Design
• Operational
• Norwegian Service

He 115 Development and Design

This aircraft was born out of a specific set of requirements that sought versatility and adaptability for maritime operations, culminating in a design that balanced operational efficacy with the technical limitations of the era.

Developed in response to the Reich Air Ministry’s demand for a multifunctional seaplane, the Heinkel He 115 was envisioned to excel in a variety of roles, from reconnaissance to torpedo bombing, showcasing a level of versatility that was crucial for the varied demands of naval warfare.

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The design process was guided by the necessity for an aircraft that could operate effectively over the expansive maritime environments of Europe, necessitating long-range capabilities, robustness for water landings, and sufficient payload capacity for various armaments and equipment.

The aircraft’s structural design was a harmonious blend of aerodynamic efficiency and operational functionality. Its low-wing monoplane configuration was selected for its stability and ease of control, particularly important for an aircraft that needed to perform well both in the air and on water.

The wings were designed with a high aspect ratio, contributing to better lift and fuel efficiency, which in turn extended the aircraft’s range and endurance—key attributes for missions over the open sea.

The twin-engine design featured BMW 132K radial engines, a choice that struck a balance between available power and reliability.

He 115 With the Necessary Thrust

These engines were pivotal in providing the He 115 with the necessary thrust while maintaining reasonable fuel consumption rates, a critical consideration for long-duration maritime patrols and reconnaissance missions.

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The engine placement on the wing also facilitated easier maintenance and ensured that the aircraft maintained optimal center-of-gravity characteristics.

The He 115’s fuselage was another area where innovative design was evident. The streamlined, pencil-shaped body minimized aerodynamic drag, enhancing the aircraft’s speed and range.

The incorporation of a large glass canopy was a thoughtful design choice, offering the crew unobstructed panoramic views, crucial for navigation, reconnaissance, and targeting during maritime operations.

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This design feature underscored the dual priorities of operational efficiency and crew safety, ensuring that pilots and navigators could effectively manage their responsibilities.

Innovations extended to the aircraft’s armament and payload capabilities, designed to be versatile and adaptable depending on the mission specifics.

The internal bomb bay and external hardpoints allowed for various configurations, accommodating torpedoes, bombs, or mines. This adaptability made the He 115 a formidable asset in a range of combat scenarios, from engaging enemy ships to laying mines in strategic waterways.

He 115 Operational History

Initially introduced into service with the Luftwaffe in the late 1930s, the He 115 was quickly recognized for its exceptional capabilities as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft, torpedo bomber, and minelayer.

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Its early operations focused on the Baltic and North Seas, where its long-range reconnaissance capabilities were invaluable for monitoring enemy naval movements and providing critical intelligence.

The aircraft’s robust design allowed it to operate in harsh northern climates, proving to be an asset in pre-war Germany’s growing emphasis on naval reconnaissance and strike capabilities.

With the outbreak of World War II, the He 115 was thrust into more active roles. In the early stages of the war, it was utilized for laying naval mines in British waters, an operation that aimed to disrupt Allied shipping routes and naval operations.

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The effectiveness of the He 115 in these minelaying missions underscored the strategic value of using seaplanes for covert operations, exploiting their ability to operate far from bases and evade detection.

The torpedo bombing role became one of the He 115’s most crucial functions during the conflict. Equipped with aerial torpedoes, the aircraft engaged Allied shipping, proving to be a formidable adversary due to its ability to strike from the sea, avoiding the more heavily defended overland approaches.

Strategic Edge to the Kriegsmarine

These operations were not without risk, as the aircraft’s size and speed made it vulnerable to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire, leading to losses that eventually impacted the number of operational units.

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In addition to its offensive capabilities, the He 115 performed reconnaissance missions, gathering intelligence on enemy ship movements, minefields, and coastal defenses.

This information was critical for the planning of naval operations and the deployment of U-boats, with the He 115’s contributions providing a strategic edge to the Kriegsmarine.

As the war progressed, the changing nature of the conflict and the introduction of more advanced and specialized aircraft began to overshadow the He 115’s operational viability.

However, it continued to be used in secondary roles, such as training, transport, and even for clandestine missions. Some units were employed in covert operations, including inserting agents behind enemy lines, showcasing the aircraft’s continued utility even as newer models entered the scene.

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The Heinkel He 115’s operational history also extended beyond Germany’s borders. Exported units saw service with allied and neutral countries, further demonstrating the aircraft’s adaptability to different operational requirements and environments.

In countries like Norway and Finland, the He 115 was adapted to local conditions, continuing its service even after the Luftwaffe had largely phased it out.

Post-war, the He 115’s operational story didn’t end with Germany’s defeat. Captured aircraft were employed by the Allies for various purposes, including evaluation, research, and in some cases, active service. This post-conflict use highlights the aircraft’s solid design and continued relevance in the changing landscape of post-war aviation.

He 115 in Norwegian Service

Amid escalating tensions in Europe, the Norwegian Ministry of Defence, anticipating the need for more modernized aerial capabilities, placed an order for six He 115Ns for the Royal Norwegian Navy Air Service (RNoNAS) on August 28, 1939.

These aircraft were delivered between July 14 and November 13, 1939. The acquisition of the He 115N was aimed at updating the RNoNAS’s aging fleet, which at the time predominantly consisted of Douglas DT torpedo bombers from the 1920s and the increasingly outdated Marinens Flyvebaatfabrikk M.F.11, a mainstay in 1940.

Subsequently, the Norwegians placed a second order for an additional six He 115Ns in December 1939, anticipating delivery in March or April 1940. However, this second batch was never delivered due to the onset of Operation Weserübung, the German invasion of Norway on April 9, 1940.

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At the war’s outbreak, the RNoNAS operated six He 115Ns, stationed along the coast from the naval air bases at Sola and Flatøy in the south to Skattøra Naval Air Station near Tromsø in the north.

During the initial stages of the German invasion, one of these aircraft, stationed at the seaplane base in Hafrsfjord near Stavanger, was captured by German forces.

Offensive Near Narvik

Conversely, the Norwegians managed to capture two Luftwaffe He 115s, which were repurposed and integrated into the Norwegian fleet as F.62 and F.64 after making emergency landings due to fuel shortages.

These aircraft were quickly commandeered by Norwegian forces, including an impromptu militia unit and local police officers, and were then employed against the invading German forces throughout the campaign.

Throughout the conflict, seven Norwegian He 115s, including five He 115Ns, were actively used against German and German-controlled vessels, as well as in providing ground support during the Norwegian Army’s offensive near Narvik.

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Notably, on April 14, 1940, three Norwegian He 115s successfully engaged German Ju 52 transport aircraft at Gullesfjordbotn. When the Norwegian forces were compelled to surrender on June 10, 1940, four of the aircraft (F.52, F.56, F.58, and F.64) were flown to the United Kingdom, while another (F.50) found refuge in Finland, landing on Lake Salmijärvi in Petsamo.

An attempt by a sixth He 115 (F.54) to reach Britain resulted in its loss over the North Sea. The final Norwegian He 115, F.62 (a captured German plane), was left behind due to being unserviceable and was subsequently repaired and flown by German forces.

He 115 and the RAF

The four aircraft that managed to escape were reconstituted into the Norwegian Helensburgh Group, led by Commander Bugge. Following their arrival in Britain, the exiled Norwegian Cabinet Nygaardsvold planned to utilize these four He 115 aircraft for missions dropping leaflets over Norway.

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These missions aimed to distribute a declaration informing the Norwegian populace that the Norwegian government had been re-established in the UK, firmly rejecting any propositions for a peace deal with Nazi Germany.

On July 3, 1940, orders were dispatched for all four Norwegian He 115s at Helensburgh to proceed to Scapa Flow for the mission.

However, one aircraft encountered engine issues and had to return. The remaining three, stationed at Scapa Flow, were tasked with flying over Norway to disseminate the declaration across Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim.

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However, the mission was abruptly halted by the British Air Ministry, which deemed the operation too hazardous, given the He 115s’ slow speeds.

Secret Operations

Later, three of these Norwegian He 115s (F.56, F.58, and F.64), now re-designated with the serial numbers BV184, BV185, and BV187, were engaged in secret operations near Norway and across the Mediterranean Sea, manned by Norwegian crews.

Unfortunately, BV184 was attacked and sustained damage from two Polish-operated Spitfires over the Bay of Biscay in spring 1942 while liaising with French fishing vessels and was subsequently lost to a refueling fire in the UK.

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BV185 met its end due to an Italian air raid on Kalafrana, Malta, after completing only a single clandestine mission to North Africa. Meanwhile, BV187 conducted several operations along the North African coast from Malta before it was downed by two German Bf 109s.

He 115 in Finnish Hands

On June 8, 1940, a day following the directive for Norwegian forces to lay down arms, an He 115 aircraft (F.50, assessed as unsuitable for flight to the UK) was flown to Finland, masquerading as the civilian aircraft LN-MAB.

Although the aircraft was interned upon arrival, the pilot—renowned airline captain and naval lieutenant Helge Dahl—and his crew were permitted to depart Finland freely. Starting from the summer of 1941, this aircraft was utilized by the Finnish Air Force’s LLv.14, designated with the code HE-115 and nicknamed “Jenny.”

It was primarily employed to transport Sissi troops into Soviet-controlled territories, a task for which it was particularly suited given Finland’s landscape, dotted with numerous remote lakes.

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The plane remained operational in this capacity until it was ambushed in East Karelia on July 4, 1943. Despite managing to take off, “Jenny” was forced to make an emergency landing, leading to the crew’s capture.

Two days subsequent to the incident, the stranded HE-115 was targeted and strafed by Finnish Morane-Saulnier MS.406 fighters. There are accounts suggesting that the Soviets later retrieved the wreckage for examination.

During the years 1943-44, the Finnish Air Force temporarily utilized two Luftwaffe He 115 C aircraft for similar missions, with the Finnish crew operating the planes under German insignia. One of these aircraft was returned in 1944, while the other was ceded to the Soviet forces following the armistice.

Variants and Users of the He 115

The initial variants, the He 115A series, were soon followed by the B series, which featured enhanced armament and increased fuel capacity, extending the aircraft’s range and operational flexibility.

These modifications were pivotal, as they allowed the aircraft to undertake longer missions, which was particularly crucial for its roles in reconnaissance, torpedo bombing, and minelaying operations.

The He 115C series represented a significant evolution, incorporating de-icing systems for the wings and tailplane, and an improved defensive armament configuration.

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This series was specifically designed to enhance the aircraft’s survivability and effectiveness in the harsh conditions of Northern Europe, where icy conditions were a constant challenge.

Specialized variants like the He 115D and E included adaptations for specific mission roles, such as high-speed mine-laying and long-range reconnaissance. These models underscored the aircraft’s versatility and the ability of its designers to tailor its capabilities to meet the nuanced demands of wartime operations.

Air-Sea Rescue Missions

Export models of the He 115 also saw significant use. Sweden, for instance, operated a version known as the He 115A-2, which they used primarily for maritime reconnaissance and air-sea rescue missions.

The neutrality of Sweden during the war meant that their use of the He 115 was focused on protecting shipping lanes and maintaining surveillance over its territorial waters.

Norwegian forces, both during and after the occupation by Germany, utilized captured He 115s for various purposes, including coastal patrols and training.

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The aircraft’s ability to take off and land on water made it particularly suited to Norway’s rugged coastline and fjords, providing a versatile asset to their limited aviation forces.

In Finland, the He 115 served effectively during the Continuation War, where it was used against Soviet naval forces. The Finnish Air Force’s adaptation of the He 115 demonstrated its capacity to operate in the unique conditions of the Baltic Sea, where cold temperatures and ice were prevalent.

After World War II, the surviving He 115s continued to see service, albeit in different capacities and with different operators. Some were used by the Allies for evaluation purposes, while others were repurposed for civilian use, including as transport aircraft in the remote, fjord-laden landscapes of Scandinavia, where their ability to operate from water was invaluable.

He 115 Survivors

Good news but bad news, He 11 A-2, Werknr. 3043, was retrieved from Russia and is currently stored with a private owner in France, can’t really see that ever being restored now. Fingers crossed that one.

Meanwhile, He 115 B/C, Werknr. 2398, met its fate at the bottom of a fjord on December 26, 1942, and was salvaged from Hafrsfjord in Norway on June 2, 2012. This aircraft was associated with the 1st Squadron of the 906 Maritime Reconnaissance Group, previously known as the 906 Coastal Aviation Group, under Luftflotte 5. By July 2012, this airplane was housed at the Flyhistorisk Museum, Sola near Stavanger, awaiting restoration. You can follow the project here He 115 Project

Additionally, in 2013, the remnants of another He 115 were discovered at the depths of Lake Limingen in Nord-Trøndelag, Norway. The good news about this is that is usually a high level of preservation because of the cold water.

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