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Heinkel He 115

Heinkel · Torpedo Bomber · Germany · Interwar (1919–1938)

Heinkel He 115 — Torpedo Bomber
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The Heinkel He 115 was a German twin-engine three-seat torpedo / floatplane / reconnaissance / minelayer — the Luftwaffe's principal sea-patrol aircraft of WWII. Heinrich Hertel designed the He 115 in 1936; the prototype first flew on 16 August 1937. About 138 He 115s were built between 1939 and 1944 at Heinkel Marienehe. The aircraft served Luftwaffe Küstenfliegergruppe coastal patrol + Kriegsmarine torpedo-attack units 1939-1945, plus Norwegian, Swedish, and (captured) British units.

The He 115 used two BMW 132K 9-cylinder radial engines (970 hp each). Maximum speed 327 km/h, range 2,100 km, service ceiling 5,200 m. Armament: 1 × LT F5b 765 kg torpedo, or 1,000 kg of mines / depth charges, or up to 920 kg of bombs. Defensive armament: 3 × 7.92 mm machine guns. Crew: 3 (pilot + navigator/bombardier + gunner). The aircraft used twin floats supporting a conventional twin-engine monoplane fuselage; takeoff weight 10,700 kg from water.

He 115 service spanned WWII Luftwaffe sea operations across the North Sea, Baltic, Mediterranean, and Arctic theatres. The aircraft conducted torpedo strikes against Allied shipping (notably the September 1943 attack on PQ-18 Arctic convoy), mine-laying operations, and sea reconnaissance. Norway operated 6 He 115s before German invasion (April 1940); three escaped to UK and served RAF Special Operations Executive units in covert insertion / extraction missions. Sweden operated 12 He 115s through 1952. About 2 He 115 airframes survive in 2026 at Norwegian (Sola) and German (Berlin) museums.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Heinkel He 115 was a German Navy floatplane from World War II. It first flew in August 1937. About 138 He 115s were built between 1939 and 1944. The He 115 was the Luftwaffe's main sea-patrol plane for hunting Allied ships and submarines.

The He 115 is 56 feet long with a 73-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus. Two BMW 132K radial engines each make 970 horsepower. Top speed is 203 mph, faster than most cars on a highway. The plane could carry one torpedo, 2,200 pounds of mines, or 2,000 pounds of bombs.

The He 115 sits on two large floats instead of wheels. It takes off and lands on water, useful for coastal bases without runways. Three crew sit inside: a pilot, a navigator-bomber, and a gunner. The plane has three machine guns for defense.

He 115s attacked Allied Arctic convoys carrying supplies to Russia in 1942 and 1943. British forces captured a few He 115s. The British SOE secret service used the captured planes to drop spies into Norway. Norwegian and Swedish air forces also flew small numbers of He 115s.

Fun Facts

  • The He 115 was Germany's main WWII sea-patrol floatplane.
  • About 138 He 115s were built between 1939 and 1944.
  • The He 115 is 56 feet long, longer than a school bus.
  • Top speed is 203 mph, faster than most cars on a highway.
  • The plane sits on two large floats and takes off from water.
  • He 115s attacked Arctic convoys carrying Allied supplies to Russia.
  • Captured He 115s helped British spies infiltrate Norway.

Kids’ Questions

Why a floatplane?

Germany had many coastal bases without long runways. A floatplane could take off and land on water, using sheltered bays as airfields. The He 115 could fly far across the North Sea to attack British ships. After missions, the He 115 returned to its water base. Wheeled planes need land runways, which are easier to bomb than open water.

What were Arctic convoys?

From 1941, Britain and America sent supply ships to Russia to help fight Germany. The ships sailed north of Norway to reach Russian ports like Murmansk. Germany attacked the convoys with U-boats, surface ships, and aircraft. He 115s based in occupied Norway flew torpedo attacks against the convoys. The Arctic convoys were one of WWII's most dangerous sea routes.

How did the British use captured He 115s?

Britain captured a few He 115s during WWII. The British SOE (Special Operations Executive) used the captured planes to drop secret agents into German-occupied Norway. Since the He 115s looked German, they could land in Norwegian waters without raising suspicion. The agents helped the Norwegian resistance fight the German occupation.

Variants

He 115A (initial)
Initial 1939 production. About 50 built. BMW 132K engines.
He 115B (improved)
Improved variant with refined avionics. About 60 built 1940-1942.
He 115C (final)
Final variant with heavier armament + improved navigation. About 28 built 1942-1944.

Notable Operators

Luftwaffe Küstenfliegergruppe (1939-1945)
Principal user. North Sea + Baltic + Mediterranean + Arctic sea operations.
Norwegian Air Force / Norwegian RAF squadrons
6 Norwegian He 115s before April 1940 invasion. 3 escaped to UK; served RAF SOE covert insertion missions 1940-1943.
Swedish Air Force (1939-1952)
12 He 115s in Swedish maritime patrol service. Last retired 1952.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Britain operate captured He 115s?

Yes. Three Norwegian Air Force He 115s escaped to UK in April-June 1940 after the German invasion of Norway. The RAF assigned these to Special Operations Executive (SOE) covert-operations duties — using the He 115s' German markings to insert agents into Norwegian, French, and Greek occupied territories without arousing German air defence suspicion. The aircraft were operated 1940-1943 from Scottish and Mediterranean bases.

What was the September 1943 PQ-18 attack?

Luftwaffe Küstenfliegergruppe He 115s attacked Allied Arctic convoy PQ-18 in September 1943 (one of the last large convoy actions of the Arctic theatre). The He 115s torpedoed and sank 13 of the 40 ships in the convoy, one of the worst single-convoy losses of the Arctic campaign. The attack demonstrated the He 115's torpedo-strike effectiveness against shipping with weak air cover.

How many He 115s were built?

About 138 airframes 1939-1944 at Heinkel Marienehe. The relatively-low production reflects the Luftwaffe's limited maritime-air-warfare priority compared with continental fighter / bomber operations. Heinkel was redirected to other priority projects (He 111 production, He 177 development) after 1942.

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