TYPE: 3-seated Torpedobomber
AMOUNT IN NORWEGIAN SERVICE: 6
OFFENSIVE ARMAMENT
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1x Colt M/29 Lett Førermitraljøse Nose
-Placement: Nose/cupola
-Caliber: 7.92x57mm
-Model: Lightweight variant, only used in planes
-Muzzle velocity: 775 M/S
-Firerate: 580 RPM
-One ammunition belt contained 250 Rounds (Unknown of there were more in storage/stowage)
-Producer: Kongsberg arms factory
-Amount of machineguns made: 181x
-Production period: 1936-1937
1x Colt M/29 Lett Førermitraljøse Rear Gunner
-Placement: Rear seat/gunner position
-Caliber: 7.92x57mm
-Model: Lightweight variant, only used in planes
-Muzzle velocity: 775 M/S
-Firerate: 580 RPM
-One ammunition belt contained 250 Rounds (Unknown of there were more in storage/stowage)
-Producer: Kongsberg arms factory
-Amount of machineguns made: 181x
-Production period: 1936-1937
This cannon, was intended to be mounted, and many modifications were made to the plane and nose cupola to fit the cannon. but one does not know if this ever were mounted. The cannon had as a fact arrived, and probably laid at the post office when the fights of the invasion started. I dont know how this would work. but i include it here.
1x 20mm Type AF Oerlikon cannon
-Placement: in the Nose, cupola which was modified to fit the cannon
-Ammunition capasity: 5x magazines of 20mm (unsure if those magazines were 30 rounds or all together toals 40x)
SECONDARY ARMAMENT
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3x 200 Kilogram bombs in the fuselage bomb-bay
6x 75 Kilogram bombs (3x under each wing)
2x 200 Kilogram bombs (1x under each wings)
1x 800-100 Kilogram torpedo (uncertain model)
Bomb sight: Goertz PZ1
AMMUNITION 7.92x51mm
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250x cartrigde box specifications
Box with MG belt with 250 cartridges in cloth belt.
The box measures approx. 260 x 170 x 87mm, and weighs approx. 6.74 kg. The total length of the tape, with cartridges in it, is approx. 3475 mm. The width of the fabric band is approx. 27.5 mm, while the length of the brass part is approx. 82.5 mm.
The tapes are stamped with the numbers 1 to 4 for every 50 shots. The marking is upside down as seen from the shooter.
Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker - 7.92x57 - Skarp
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Model and production
Caliber: 7.92x57
Type: Sharp Model
Manufacturer: Raufoss Ammunitionsfabrikker
Country of manufacture: Norway
Year of production: 1931-1950
Technical data
Total length: 80.3 mm
Cartridge weight: 25.7-26.5 grams
Ball diameter: 8.2 mm
Bullet length: 34.9 mm
Bullet weight: 12.85 grams
Bullet type: Full jacket
Ball casing material: Copper-nickel-plated steel/Copper-plated brass
Ball core material: Lead
Gunpowder weight: 2.9-3.1 g
Ignition mechanism: Berdan
Tooth cap diameter: 5.50 mm
Sleeve material: Brass
Sleeve length: 56.9 mm
Bottom diameter: 11.9 mm
Sleeve base: Rimless
Teeth cap: None
Quantity in packaging: 15, 50 or 250
Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker - 7,92x57 - Sporlys - MG lett
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Model and production
Caliber: 7.92x57
Type: Track light
Model: MG light
Manufacturer: Raufoss Ammunitionsfabrikker
Country of manufacture: Norway
Year of production: uninterrupted until about 1941/capitulation
Technical data:
Total length: 80.3 mm
Cartridge weight: 24.0 grams
Ball diameter: 8.2 mm
Bullet weight: 11.0 grams
Bullet type: Track light
Ball casing material: Copper-nickel coated steel
Bullet core material: Lead and tracer kit
Sleeve material: Brass
Sleeve length: 57.0 mm
Bottom diameter: 11.9 mm
Sleeve base: Rimless
Teeth cap: none
Raufoss Ammunisjonsfabrikker - 7,92x57 - Skarp - MG tøybelte
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Model and production
Caliber: 7.92x57
Type: Sharp
Model: MG cloth belt
Manufacturer: Raufoss Ammunitionsfabrikker
Country of manufacture: Norway
Year of production: 193x
Technical data
Total length: 80.3 mm
Cartridge weight: 26.5 grams
Ball diameter: 8.2 mm
Bullet length: 34.9 mm
Bullet weight: 12.8 grams
Bullet type: Full jacket
Ball casing material: Copper-nickel coated steel
Ball core material: Lead
Gunpowder weight: 2.9 g
Ignition mechanism: Berdan
Tooth cap diameter: 5.50 mm
Sleeve material: Brass
Sleeve length: 56.9 mm
Bottom diameter: 11.9 mm
Sleeve base: Rimless
Teeth cap: None
Quantity in package: 250x
TECHNICAL DATA
Wingspan: 22.00 m
Length: 17.30 m
Height: 6.60 m
Net weight: 5,300 kg
Maximum take-off weight: 10,400 kg
Top speed: 355 km/h
Cruising speed: 295 km/h
Peak altitude: 5,500 m
Crew: 3x Pilot, front nose gunner, rear gunner
Engines: 2× BMW 132N radial engines (856 hp)
SERIAL NUMBERS - times in service and fates
NORWEGIAN MODIFICATIONS
-New modified nose cupola prepared for a 20mm Oerlicon cannon
-Goertz PZ1 bomb sight
-7.92x57mm Colt M/29 Lightweight machineguns produced at Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk instead of the MG15’s
-Telefunken FuG III R/C radio instead of the FuG X
-To fit the 20mm Oerlicon cannon in the nose compartment, the nose cupola had to be modified to accept this larger and heavier weapon. These changes translated into distinct external differences, such as a large cirkular D/F loop a short distance behind the pilots sliding canopy, the relocation of the radio mast a little further back on the mid-canopy section and the lack of the characteristic fairing for the “Lofte” bomb sight beneath the nose section
-A streamlined cover over the oil coolers to keep the ice out wich had left only a small cooling slit on the top.
-The ikaria rotating cupola was dispensed with, being replaced by a somewhat shorter cupola with a larger aperture without external frames or bracing. This important distinguishing feature was unique to the Norwegian Heinkels!
-Secondary loadout
-Natural metal propeller blades (only seen on the Norwegian and Swedish Heinkel He155’s)
HISTORY
In the 1930s, a commission was tasked with assessing the equipment in the Navy’s Air Force. One of the conclusions was that one should look for modern torpedo planes that could carry the new and much heavier aircraft torpedoes that were being developed. Several aircraft types were under consideration when, in the autumn of 1937, an inquiry came from Heinkel in Germany with an invitation to look at their new He 115. The aircraft made a good impression and was also released for export in the spring of 1938.
At the same time, it became known that the Luftwaffe would invest in the aircraft and that the Swedish Air Force would follow Norway’s choice. On 24 August 1938, 6 aircraft were ordered and future license production in Norway was negotiated. The first aircraft, the F.50, was formally taken over on 14 July 1939 and flew to Horten. The rest were retrieved individually throughout the late summer and autumn of 1939, partly under dramatic circumstances. Norway was also offered to buy a further 6 aircraft for delivery at the end of March 1940. The offer was accepted, but these aircraft never arrived in Norway and were subsequently taken over by the Luftwaffe.
When the war came in 1940, three of the aircraft were stationed in southern Norway and three in northern Norway. The F.60 was on the sun, but was not airworthy and was taken by the Germans. F.52 and F.58 were stationed on Flatøy and F.58 was sent up to bomb the German vessels on their way in to Bergen. None of the bombs did any damage. F.52 was then evacuated together with an M.F.11 to Norheimsund, Granvin and later Eidfjord, while F.58 and the rest of the M.F.11 aircraft were eventually gathered in Balestrand in Sogn. Both groups became involved in the battles against German forces and vessels. On 23 April, the group in Hardanger was disbanded and F.52 was transferred to Sogndal in poor technical condition. On 1 May, the defense in Western Norway was abandoned and F.58 was sent north to Skattøra, while F.52 and M.F.11 F.328, both of which were quite worn out, were sent over to Great Britain. The F.328 was probably shot down by British anti-aircraft fire, while the F.52 arrived with one engine out of order.
The three Norwegian He-115 machines at Skattøra were initially involved in attacks on German aircraft, but then things calmed down until the beginning of May. However, the division was reinforced with two German He 115b which had made emergency landings at Brønnøysund and in Glomfjord due to a lack of fuel. These got Marines No. F.64 and F.62. The Heinkel planes carried out several successful attacks in the first half of May and towards the end of the month
When the fighting in northern Norway was over, the Four Heinkels that were in the best condition, F.58, F.54, F.56 and F.64 were sent over to Shetland. The F.50 was sent to Finland and the F.62 was left behind. However, the F.54 encountered problems on the way and returned to Norway, where it was sunk. The F.50 was then used by the Finns until it was shot down by the Russians in Eastern Karelia on June 4, 1943. The aircraft has since been raised. The four aircraft that were in Great Britain were put in and out of German-occupied areas. The planes were flown individually by naval aviators Knut Skavhaugen and Håkon Offerddal, and are said to have completed a number of successful missions on the French coast. Developments in North Africa made it necessary to travel from Malta, and one machine was lost here. Later, a trip to the Norwegian coast from Woodhaven was planned. The last aircraft was chopped up at Woodhaven in late 1942
Norwegian Aircraft Torpedoes
As is known, the first aircraft torpedoes were first developed in Italy in 1911, and were used during the First World War. In August 1915, the first aircraft to sink a ship in war with an aircraft torpedo was a British Short 184 aircraft.
Later, Norway began to carry out tests with torpedoes on aircraft, around 1923/24 and at the Navy’s main shipyard in 1932 an aircraft torpedo was developed with a stabilizing rudder which fell off when the water surface was hit, this torpedo had the designation F.1 and was among other exported to a number of countries!
A number of torpedoes were developed, up to the F.5. At one point in time, the Germans had tried to get hold of the data on these torpedoes as these stabilizing rudders were quite groundbreaking, and they succeeded in this through a company in Sweden that had bought around 5 of these torpedoes and then passed on the information from these Norwegian-developed torpedoes . The Germans developed them further and made at least two variants of them.
These Norwegian torpedoes were developed and produced at the torpedo factory in Horten, but in an allied bomb attack on the factory the archive/all data on these was unfortunately lost, and it is therefore very difficult to find information and history regarding these, so I am not entirely sure on which model was used on the Norwegian Heinkel He 115 aircraft, but this I will do my best to find out.
CAMOUFLAGES
STANDARD CAMOUFLAGE
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i will provide some detailed pictures here, so if the plane would be added, the camouflages could be made as accurate as possible!
National markings
The left illustration is of the Rudder, wich is Centred on lower rudder egde.
The right illustration is the markings wich we see on the tip of each wing, these are 250cm wide
Markings & inscription s on the floats/flotators
As seen in the image "Detail of the stencilling of each float on the He 115 N. (Støttepungt -->) trasnlated into english “support point” are painted on.
Here is also an image of the plane, this is from a model but it show the kind of colour and placements very nicely.
SECONDARY CAMOUFLAGES
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SECONDARY CAMOUFLAGE - F.52 1939 Neuttrality camouflage
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SECONDARY CAMOUFLAGE F.52 Cerric D5 Aluminium finish
SECONDARY CAMOUFLAGE F.52 As delivered by the Heinkel factorya at Rostock
SECONDARY CAMOUFLAGE F.52 Unique Wartime camouflage, applied hastely
ALBUM
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SOURCES
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Norsk He 115
Redirecting...
https://www.norli.no/boker/dokumentar-og-fakta/historie-og-dokumentar/krig-og-historie/luftforsvarets-historie-fortalt-gjennom-75-gjenstander?
https://www.adlibris.com/no/bok/norske-militarfly-9788271286873?
Heinkel He 115 – Store norske leksikon
Heinkel He 115 – Wikipedia
Nasjonalbiblioteket
ammunition and updates
Kongsberg Våpenhstoriske Forening
Pardon our interruption...
- Yes
- No
