The Heinkel He 115 was one of the most capable twin-engine floatplanes of World War II — a versatile torpedo bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and minelayer that held multiple international speed and payload records. This collection brings together 15 primary-source technical documents covering all major variants (A, B, C) and the full spectrum of systems, armament, and operational equipment, providing an authoritative archival reference for historians, researchers, and aviation enthusiasts.
Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates: This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional He 115 documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.
Historical Note
Designed in the mid-1930s by Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke, the He 115 emerged from a Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) requirement for a modern torpedo and reconnaissance floatplane. The prototype first flew in 1937, and early flight tests revealed poor handling characteristics that were subsequently corrected through the introduction of power-assisted control surfaces — a refinement that transformed the aircraft into a machine praised by crews for being "easy to fly."
The He 115 was an all-metal, mid-wing monoplane with an oval-section fuselage and twin floats constructed of "hydronalium," a corrosion-resistant aluminium-magnesium alloy, supported by struts mounted below the engine nacelles. It utilized the NACA 2221 root airfoil and was powered by two BMW 132K nine-cylinder air-cooled radial engines producing approximately 960 PS (950 hp / 710 kW) each, driving 3-bladed variable-pitch propellers.
The He 115 outperformed its main competitor, the Blohm & Voss Ha 140, in stability and low-speed handling, and proved exceptionally robust in Arctic operations — its air-cooled radials being far less susceptible to combat damage than liquid-cooled alternatives. Variants included the A-series (export and early production), the B-series (enhanced range and payload), and the C-series (improved armament). The He 115 B-2 featured specialized ice skids for winter operations in Scandinavian and Arctic theatres. Norwegian and Swedish air forces also operated the type, and Norwegian He 115s famously continued operations against Germany after the fall of Norway.
Manuals Included in This Collection
Variant A / B / C — Aircraft Handbooks, Flight Manuals & Systems (3 Documents)
- He 115 A/B/C Aircraft Handbook — He 115-A,B,C Aircraft Handbook – Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)
- He 115 A/B/C Flight Manual — He 115 B/C Flight Operating Instructions Manual, Bedienungsvorschrift Fl (German Language)
- He 115 A/B/C Systems — He 115 B-2 Aircraft Ice-Skid Floats Description, Operation and Testing, Beschreibung, Bedienung und Prüfung der Eiskufen-Schwimmer D.(Luft) T. 2115 B2/Fl. Anhang (German Language)
He 115 Armament (5 Documents)
- MG 15 Machine Gun Operating Instructions, Bedienungsvorschrift LDv 110 (German Language)
- MG 17 Machine Gun Operating Instructions Part 1, MG 17 Teil 1 (German Language)
- MG 151 Aircraft Cannon Weapon Manual Part 1, MG 151 Waffen-Handbuch (German Language)
- MG 151 and MG 151/20 Aircraft Cannon Weapon Manual, MG 151 und 151/20 Waffen-Handbuch (German Language)
- ETC 500/IX Bomb Rack Technical Manual, ETC 500/IX D(Luft)T 7215 (German Language)
He 115 Radio and Equipment (2 Documents)
- FuG X Onboard Radio Equipment Manual, Bordfunkgerät 1941 (German Language)
- Lichtbild-MG ESK 2000 Gun Camera — Description and Operating Instructions, ESK 2000 (German Language)
He 115 Technical Publications (2 Documents)
- He 115 Collection of Articles and Images (German Language)
- He 115 Aircraft Factory Magazine Issue 2, He 115 aus Heinkel-Werkzeitung-2 (German Language)
He 115 Slides, Photos and Brochures (3 Documents)
- He 115 Aircraft Image Folder, He 115 aus Heinkel-Bildmappe (German Language)
- He 115 Aircraft Scale Modeling Folder, He 115 aus Heinkel-Modellbaumappe (German Language)
- Heinkel He 115 Aircraft Factory Magazine Issue 2, He 115 aus Heinkel-Werkzeitung-2 (German Language)
This collection spans the full operational life of the He 115, covering all three primary variants (A, B, C) and the specialized B-2 winter configuration, with documentation ranging from pre-war production through wartime operational use.
Engineering Norms and Standards
The He 115 was developed and maintained under Luftwaffe technical standards administered by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM). Engineering documentation follows the D.(Luft)T. (Dienstvorschrift Luftwaffe Technisch) numbering system, the standard framework for all Luftwaffe aircraft technical publications. Armament documentation follows the LDv (Luftwaffe Dienstvorschrift) series. The aircraft's structural design adhered to German aviation material standards of the late 1930s, including the use of hydronalium alloy floats and NACA-derived airfoil profiles adapted under German engineering practice.
Aerodynamic and Structural Data
- Airfoil: NACA 2221 (root)
- Float material: Hydronalium (aluminium-magnesium alloy)
- Control surfaces: Power-assisted (post-1937 refinement)
- Special variant: He 115 B-2 with ice-skid floats for Arctic operations
Engine Technical Notes — BMW 132K
- Type: Nine-cylinder air-cooled radial
- Output: ~960 PS (950 hp / 710 kW) take-off rating; 528 kW continuous
- Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch
- Advantage: Air-cooled design offered superior combat survivability in Arctic environments
Performance Data — He 115 B/C Series
| Metric | Performance Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | 295–355 km/h (183–220 mph) |
| Cruising Speed | 275 km/h (171 mph) |
| Service Ceiling | 5,200–5,500 m (17,050–18,045 ft) |
| Range (Normal) | 2,100–2,600 km (1,300–1,615 miles) |
| Maximum Range | Up to 3,350 km (2,080 miles) |
| Rate of Climb | 204 m/min (670 ft/min) |
| Empty Weight | 5,290–6,715 kg |
| Max Take-off Weight | 10,400–10,815 kg |
Format and Delivery
All documents are delivered as high-resolution PDF files, optimized for both screen reading and printing. Files are clearly named and organized by category for easy navigation. Instant download upon purchase — no shipping required. Compatible with all major PDF readers on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.
Further Reading
For a deeper dive into the history and operational legacy of the Heinkel He 115, visit our dedicated article on the Online Aviation Library blog:
Heinkel He 115 — One of the Best Seaplanes of World War II
Disclaimer
All documents in this collection are provided for historical reference and research purposes only. These are archival reproductions of original wartime technical publications. Trade names, designations, and markings are used for identification purposes only. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.