Introduction
The Heinkel He 60 represents a critical chapter in the rapid expansion of German naval aviation during the 1930s. This biplane seaplane was developed and deployed during the Kriegsmarine's urgent rush to build a modern naval air arm, serving as a shipboard reconnaissance aircraft that equipped Germany's expanding fleet of warships during a period of intense rearmament.
Design and Development
Developed by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke in the early 1930s, the He 60 was designed as a catapult-launched reconnaissance seaplane for shipboard operations. The aircraft was created during a period when the Kriegsmarine was rapidly expanding and modernizing, requiring large numbers of reconnaissance aircraft to equip cruisers, battleships, and other major warships.
Ernst Heinkel's design team created a compact biplane seaplane optimized for the demanding requirements of shipboard aviation. The He 60 needed to be small enough for shipboard storage, strong enough to withstand catapult launches, capable of water landings for crane recovery, and able to perform effective reconnaissance missions—all while being simple enough to produce quickly in the numbers demanded by the Kriegsmarine's expansion.
Technical Specifications
The Heinkel He 60 was a single-engine biplane seaplane powered by a BMW VI inline engine producing approximately 660 horsepower. The aircraft featured twin floats for water operations and a compact biplane configuration that provided structural strength while minimizing storage space aboard ship.
The He 60 featured tandem open cockpits for the pilot and observer, with the observer's position equipped with a defensive machine gun and provisions for camera equipment. The aircraft's airframe was reinforced to withstand the violent stresses of catapult launch, with special attachment points designed to interface with shipboard catapult systems.
The compact design and relatively simple construction made the He 60 suitable for rapid production—a critical requirement during the Kriegsmarine's rush to equip its expanding fleet with reconnaissance aircraft.
The Kriegsmarine's Rush
The He 60's development and deployment must be understood in the context of Germany's rapid naval rearmament in the 1930s. Following years of restrictions under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany was rebuilding its navy at an unprecedented pace. New cruisers, battleships, and other warships were being launched in quick succession, and each required shipboard reconnaissance aircraft.
This urgent need for shipboard aircraft created tremendous pressure to develop and produce reconnaissance seaplanes quickly. The He 60 was designed to meet this demand, prioritizing rapid production and operational deployment over cutting-edge performance. The aircraft needed to be good enough to perform its mission effectively while being simple enough to manufacture in the quantities and timeframe required by the naval expansion program.
The result was an aircraft that, while not revolutionary in design, was practical, reliable, and available when needed—qualities that were perhaps more important than exceptional performance during this period of rapid expansion.
Operational Service
The He 60 entered service with the Kriegsmarine in the mid-1930s and quickly became the standard shipboard reconnaissance aircraft for German warships. The aircraft equipped cruisers, battleships, and other major vessels, providing commanders with extended reconnaissance capability beyond visual range from the ship.
Typical missions included:
Over-the-Horizon Scouting: Searching for enemy ships or land targets beyond the range visible from the ship's mast, extending the tactical awareness of the naval force.
Gunnery Spotting: Observing the fall of shot during naval gunnery practice and combat, providing corrections to improve accuracy—essential in the pre-radar era.
Anti-Submarine Patrol: Searching for submarines in the vicinity of the fleet, using the aerial perspective to spot periscopes or submerged submarines in clear water.
Weather Reconnaissance: Scouting weather conditions ahead of the fleet, providing advance warning of storms or fog.
Coastal Surveillance: Monitoring coastal areas, harbors, and shipping lanes for intelligence gathering.
Shipboard Operations
Operating the He 60 from warships required careful coordination and specialized procedures. The aircraft was stored on deck, exposed to weather and sea spray, requiring protective covers and constant maintenance attention. When a reconnaissance mission was needed, the He 60 would be positioned on the ship's catapult, the engine started and warmed up, and all systems checked.
The catapult launch subjected the aircraft and crew to violent acceleration, requiring the He 60's reinforced structure and skilled piloting. After completing the mission, the aircraft would land on the water near the ship, which would slow and maneuver to create calmer water. The ship's crane would then carefully hoist the seaplane back aboard for storage until the next mission.
These operations were complex and weather-dependent, with rough seas making recovery dangerous or impossible. The He 60's robust construction and good water-handling characteristics helped make these operations as safe as possible under challenging conditions.
Service During the Expansion Period
During the late 1930s, the He 60 served aboard many of Germany's most important warships as they were commissioned and entered service. The aircraft participated in training exercises, fleet maneuvers, and peacetime operations that prepared the Kriegsmarine for potential conflict.
The He 60's presence aboard German warships symbolized the Kriegsmarine's return to being a major naval power with modern capabilities, including organic aviation assets that extended the reach and effectiveness of surface vessels.
Transition and Replacement
As the 1930s progressed, more advanced shipboard reconnaissance aircraft became available. The Arado Ar 196, in particular, offered superior performance and more modern equipment. The He 60 was gradually replaced aboard frontline warships, though it continued to serve with training units and smaller vessels.
By the outbreak of World War II, most major German warships had transitioned to the Ar 196, with the He 60 relegated to secondary roles. However, the aircraft had served its purpose—providing the Kriegsmarine with shipboard reconnaissance capability during the critical expansion period when such aircraft were urgently needed.
Legacy of the Rush
The He 60's story illustrates the challenges and compromises inherent in rapid military expansion. The aircraft was not the most advanced design of its era, but it was available when needed and capable of performing its mission effectively. In the context of the Kriegsmarine's rush to rebuild naval aviation capability, these qualities were perhaps more valuable than cutting-edge performance.
The experience gained operating He 60s provided valuable lessons for shipboard aviation operations, trained crews in catapult launch and water recovery procedures, and established the organizational structures and operational practices that would support more advanced aircraft as they entered service.
Technical Documentation and Historical Value
Original technical manuals, maintenance handbooks, and operational documentation for the Heinkel He 60 provide important insights into this transitional aircraft and the period of rapid naval expansion it served. These authentic primary sources detail:
- Catapult launch procedures and structural requirements
- Shipboard operations and coordination with ship's company
- Water landing and crane recovery procedures
- Maintenance in shipboard environments
- Reconnaissance procedures and reporting protocols
- The challenges of rapid production and deployment
For naval historians, these documents offer perspectives on the Kriegsmarine's expansion during the 1930s and the development of German naval aviation. For aviation historians, they illuminate the compromises and priorities involved in developing aircraft during periods of rapid military buildup. For restorers and museum professionals, the original manuals provide essential references for understanding this important transitional aircraft.
Conclusion
The Heinkel He 60 may not be remembered as one of aviation's most advanced or glamorous aircraft, but it played a crucial role during a critical period in German naval history. Developed and deployed during the Kriegsmarine's rush to rebuild naval aviation capability, the He 60 provided shipboard reconnaissance services when they were urgently needed, equipping Germany's expanding fleet during the intense rearmament period of the 1930s.
The aircraft's story demonstrates that military aviation development is not always about achieving the highest performance or most advanced technology—sometimes it's about delivering capable aircraft in the numbers and timeframe required by strategic necessity. The He 60 succeeded in this mission, serving as a bridge between the Kriegsmarine's rebuilding phase and the deployment of more advanced aircraft that would follow.
Today, the He 60 is remembered as an important part of the Kriegsmarine's expansion story—a practical, reliable seaplane that served during the rush to rebuild German naval aviation and helped establish the foundations for the more advanced shipboard aviation capabilities that would follow.