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He 59

Heinkel · Trainer · Germany · Interwar (1919–1938)

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The Heinkel He 59 was a German twin-engine biplane floatplane — Luftwaffe's principal maritime patrol + sea-rescue aircraft of the late 1930s and early WWII years. Reinhold Mewes designed the He 59 in 1930-1931; the prototype first flew in September 1931. About 142 He 59s were built between 1932 and 1938 at Heinkel Warnemünde. The aircraft saw extensive use in the Spanish Civil War (Condor Legion sea-rescue role) and early WWII Luftwaffe sea operations 1939-1942.

The He 59 used two BMW VI V-12 engines (660 hp each). Maximum speed 220 km/h, range 950 km, service ceiling 3,500 m. Armament: 3 × 7.92 mm machine guns + 1,000 kg of bombs / depth charges / mines, or 1 × LT F5b torpedo. Crew: 4 (pilot + co-pilot + observer + radio operator). The aircraft used twin floats supporting a conventional biplane fuselage; this configuration was already obsolescent by 1939 but the He 59 remained in service for its rugged construction + ability to operate from rough waters.

He 59 service was concentrated in Luftwaffe Küstenfliegergruppe maritime patrol + sea-rescue + Spanish Civil War operations. Condor Legion He 59s performed sea-rescue missions in the Mediterranean 1936-1939, saving downed Luftwaffe pilots from coastal waters. WWII operations 1939-1942 included North Sea sea reconnaissance, English Channel sea-rescue (saving downed Battle of Britain pilots), and limited torpedo / mine-laying strikes. The aircraft was retired from front-line service by 1942 in favour of the He 115 + Do 24; surviving airframes served Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish coastal-rescue operators through the late 1940s. No He 59 airframes survive.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Heinkel He 59 was a German twin-engine biplane floatplane from the 1930s. The plane could land on water using two big floats under its body. It was the Luftwaffe's main sea-rescue and patrol plane in the late 1930s and early World War II.

Reinhold Mewes designed the He 59 in 1930 and 1931. The first one flew in September 1931. About 142 He 59s were built between 1932 and 1938.

The He 59 had two BMW V-12 engines, each with 660 horsepower. Its top speed was 137 mph and it could fly 590 miles in one trip. The plane is about as long as a city bus.

He 59s saw lots of action in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939 as part of the German Condor Legion. During World War II, the He 59 rescued downed German pilots from the sea. The plane could carry up to 1,000 kg of bombs, depth charges, mines, or one torpedo. The He 59 was retired by 1942 as faster planes took over its jobs.

Fun Facts

The He 59 was a twin-engine biplane that could land on water.
About 142 He 59s were built between 1932 and 1938.
He 59s saw lots of action in the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939.
The plane rescued downed German pilots from the sea during World War II.
It could carry up to 1,000 kg of bombs, depth charges, mines, or one torpedo.
The He 59 was retired by 1942 as faster planes took over.

Kids’ Questions

How does a floatplane land on water?

A floatplane has two big hollow floats under its body instead of normal landing wheels. The floats keep the plane on top of the water like a boat hull. The plane lands on calm water, with the floats skimming the surface like waterskis until the plane slows down. Then it can taxi to a dock or beach.

What was the Condor Legion?

The Condor Legion was a group of German pilots and ground crew sent by Hitler to help General Franco during the Spanish Civil War from 1936 to 1939. Germany used the Spanish war as a real test of its new planes and pilots. The He 59, He 51, Bf 109, and Ju 87 all saw combat in Spain before World War II.

Variants

He 59B (basic): Initial production with BMW VI engines. About 70 built.
He 59C (improved): Refined production variant. About 60 built.
He 59D (final): Final variant with refined avionics. About 12 built.

Notable Operators

Luftwaffe Küstenfliegergruppe (1933-1942): Principal user. North Sea + Mediterranean maritime patrol + Battle of Britain Channel sea-rescue.
Condor Legion (Spain 1936-1939): About 15 He 59s performed Mediterranean sea-rescue.
Norwegian / Danish / Finnish coastal rescue (1945-late 1940s): Postwar transfers. Small fleets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the He 59's role in the Battle of Britain?

Sea-rescue. Luftwaffe Küstenfliegergruppe He 59s rescued downed German pilots from the English Channel during the 1940 Battle of Britain. Some He 59s were temporarily painted in Red Cross markings; RAF Fighter Command famously did not accept this as protected status (arguing that German sea-rescue aircraft provided combat support by recovering pilots who would return to flying), and the RAF shot down several He 59s during rescue operations. The incident remains controversial in WWII international-humanitarian-law histories.

Was the He 59 used as a torpedo bomber?

Limited use. The He 59 could carry one LT F5b 765 kg torpedo for anti-shipping operations, but the aircraft's slow speed (220 km/h max) made it vulnerable to escort fighters + ship anti-aircraft fire. Most He 59 anti-shipping operations were against undefended targets (coastal fishing vessels, lightly-defended coasters). The He 115 + later He 111H torpedo variants replaced the He 59 in anti-shipping roles.

How many He 59s were built?

About 142 airframes 1932-1938 at Heinkel Warnemünde. Production was limited by Luftwaffe priorities — interwar German naval-aviation funding was small relative to fighter + bomber programmes.

Sources

Wikipedia — Heinkel He 59