DONE @p.2 +++ He 115 D-4b "6I+CK", 2./SAGr 130; Norway, 1944 (incl. box art)

[Snowtrooper]

That disruptive paintjob is crazy effective, the model seems to disappear on the painting table! As a bonus, the surface of said table in its current state looks a lot like sea under a gray winter sky with some ice sheets here and there, which means the camo would probably have worked similarly in real life too

[PR19_Kit]

That disruptive paintjob is crazy effective, the model seems to disappear on the painting table! As a bonus, the surface of said table in its current state looks a lot like sea under a gray winter sky with some ice sheets here and there, which means the camo would probably have worked similarly in real life too

That's exactly what I was thinking too. 

[Dizzyfugu]

Finally, done. Taking pictures of the He 115 was not easy, duie to the model's heer size - I had to create bigger backgrounds for the occasion, and the light (in addition to the poor winter conditions) was also tricky. Hence, not as many pics as usual, but you get the idea, I think. 




1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Some background:
In 1935, the German Reich Air Ministry (RLM, Reichsluftfahrtministerium) produced a requirement for a twin engined general purpose floatplane, suitable for patrol and for anti-shipping strikes with bombs and torpedoes. Proposals were received from Heinkel Flugzeugwerke and from the Blohm & Voss aircraft subsidiary Hamburger Flugzeugbau. On 1 November 1935, orders were placed with Heinkel and Hamburger Flugzeugbau for three prototypes each of their prospective designs, the He 115 and the Ha 140.

The first prototype Heinkel flew in August 1937, testing was successful and the He 115 design was selected over the Ha 140 early in 1938, leading to an order for another prototype and 10 pre-production aircraft. The first prototype was used to set a series of international records for floatplanes over 1,000 km (620 mi) and 2,000 km (1,200 mi) closed circuits at a speed of 328 km/h (204 mph).


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Defensive armament initially consisted of two 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine guns, one in the nose and one in the dorsal position. Late He 115s were fitted with a fixed forward-firing 15 mm or 20 mm MG 151 cannon and two fixed, rearward-firing 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns in the engine nacelles.
As main armament, the early He 115 variants carried LTF 5 or LTF 6b torpedoes and SD 500 500 kg (1,100 lb) or SC 250 250 kg (550 lb) bombs. Some also carried LMB III or LMA mines, and later variants could trade fuel for ordnance, so that their range was extended.

At the beginning of the war, the He 115 was used for dropping parachute mines in British waters, normally aiming for narrow passages close to busy ports on the English south coast; the River Thames was also a prime target. Apart from its use as a minelayer and torpedo bomber, the He 115 was used for coastal reconnaissance and by KG 200 to drop agents behind enemy lines.

However, the He 115's slow speed and relatively light defensive armament remained a constant weakness, and in order to eradicate this flaw, Heinkel proposed in 1939 a new variant with a crew of four (instead of three), considerably more powerful BMW 801 radial engines and an additional weapon station in a ventral position behind the bomb bay.

An initial prototype, called He 115 D-0 and fitted with BMW 801C engines rated at 1,147 kW (1,560 PS) each, was produced in 1940 and successfully field-tested. Especially the new engines made a considerably change: the He 115 D's top speed rose from a ponderous 327 km/h (203 mph) of the early variants with BMW 132K 9-cylinder radial engines to more than 400 km/h (248) in level flight, and other performance figures were improved. Nevertheless, the additional weapon station did not find approval – it turned out to be obsolete, because instead of more, heavier weapons with a longer range and a higher weight of fire were needed. Additionally, the accommodation for a fourth crew member added much dead weight to the aircraft, so that the whole proposal was regarded as ineffective ans subsequently deleted.


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


However, in this refined form, the upgraded machine was accepted by the RLM in 1940. He 115 production was not resumed, though, but rather turned into an upgrade program for the fleet of in-service aircraft (He 115 B and C in various sub-versions), leading to a variety of He 115 D variants.

The He 115 D upgrade primarily consisted of engine upgrades, now with BMW 801A engines. For defense, the He 115 D's rear gunner/radio operator became armed with two 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine guns, which replaced his former light MG 17 machine gun as well as the optional fixed machine guns in the rear of the engine fairings, which had proven themselves to be highly ineffective, once enemy pilots had become aware of them. Since the He 115's narrow body precluded any powered turret on the upper or lower fuselage, the defensive armament was moved to the flanks: Each of the heavy machine guns was fitted into half-teardrop-shaped Ferngerichtete Drehringseitenlafette FDSL 131/1B turrets and mounted on each side of the aircraft. This unusual installation was remote-controlled from the gunner's position in the rear of the glazed cockpit area with a sophisticated gun-aiming setup, and could cover a wide section of the aircraft's rear hemisphere – even under it, which was a major improvement.

The unit was controlled through a pivoting handgun-style grip, trigger and gunsight at its center, to aim the guns vertically - with both turrets elevating and depressing together when operated - and horizontally, in pivoting each gun separately, outward away from the fuselage side when aimed to one side or the other. Aiming was facilitated through a bifurcated telescopic sight that allowed almost free sight above and below the fuselage in almost any rearward-facing direction. The guns were electrically moved and fired, and an electrical contact breaker acted as a form of "interrupter", as used on many forms of multi-engined, turret-armed WW II aircraft, preventing the gunner from shooting off the He 115's tail plane.
Another armament improvement for all He 115 D variants consisted of the replacement of the light, nose-mounted MG 17 machine gun with a heavier MG 131. The fixed MG 151/20 cannon under the nose, carried in a fairing in front of the bomb bay, was retained or retrofitted to all D conversions.

Several variants were introduced: The D-1 was the initial, standardized torpedo bomber and mine layer, while the D-2 had reinforced floats and special equipment for operation from ice or snow. The D-3 was a dedicated mine layer. For this special role these machines received enlarged bomb bay doors, so that two parachute-droppable sea mines could be carried instead of just one, exploiting the type's improved ordnance capacity of 2.000 kg (4.400 lb).
The D-4 variant was a specifically modified version for anti-shipping operations. Some were direct conversions, but many D-1s and D-2s were upgraded to this standard, too, all receiving the new designation.


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


For its special role, the He 115 D-4 variant was outfitted as a carrier aircraft for the guided Henschel Hs 293 glide bomb and the Hs 294 glide torpedo. Due to its weight and size, only a single Hs 294 could be carried externally under the fuselage, and it was rarely deployed since the weapon's weight and drag drastically affected the He 115's handling. The weapon's deployment was also hazardous, due to the struts under the He 115's fuselage. The Hs 293 saw more frequent (and successful) use. Theoretically, two Hs 293 bombs could be carried on pylons under each of the reinforced outer wings (which could carry up to 1.000 kg (2.200 lb) each), but, typically, only a single Hs 293 was carried under the starboard wing and a drop tank as counterweight and range compensation for the extra drag under the port wing. Furthermore, the He 115 D-4 was outfitted with either the FuG 203 "Kehl" radio guidance and control transmitter system and a steering console at the bomb aimer's station, who visually guided the bomb to its target through a simple joystick, or, alternatively, the FuG 203 with its draggy antenna array was replaced by the more reliable FuG 207 "Dortmund" wire guidance system (incl. a spool with 18 km /11 ml of 0.3mm wire attached to the weapon pylon). The respective machines were differentiated by an "a" and "b" suffix.
The final variant that entered service was the D-5, a fast, long-range reconnaissance aircraft. It featured a reduced armor and armament, but carried additional fuel tanks and camera equipment.

Field modifications and other upgrades were also common: Some machines received a manually operated MG 151/20 machine cannon in the nose weapon station instead of the standard MG 131 for a better defense of the front sector, and some machines were upgraded with a MK 103 30 mm machine cannon in a more voluminous fairing under the bomb aimer's station.
A few D-1 and D-4 machines were also experimentally outfitted with a 37 mm (1.46 in) Bordkanone 3,7 (a.k.a. BK 3,7) with 28 rounds and even a 50mm (1.96 in) MK 214 machine cannon with 22 rounds in a drum magazine in this position – primarily against ship targets, but also against slow Allied patrol bombers, which could be attack out of their defensive weapons' range.


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


In total, about 100 He 115 B and Cs were upgraded to the D standard, which was finished by late 1943. The aircraft had its finest moment on anti-shipping operations against Arctic convoys from bases in northern Norway. Because the first convoys lacked air cover, the slow and lightly armed He 115 was less vulnerable than near the English coast. With the appearance of carriers and escort carriers, coupled with new Soviet heavy fighters like the Petlyakov Pe-3bis, Luftwaffe air superiority over the convoys was challenged and losses increased. The remaining He 115 B and Cs were consequently taken out of front line service in 1944 (but still served in search and rescue duties or in covert operations), but some of the He 115 D, esp. the more sophisticated D-4 and D-5 versions, soldiered on until 1945.



General characteristics:
    Crew: 3 (pilot, bomb aimer, radio operator/rear gunner)
    Length: 17.30 m (56 ft 9 in)
    Wingspan: 22.28 m (73 ft 1 in)
    Height: 6.60 m (21 ft 7.75 in)
    Wing area: 87.5 m² (942 ft²)
    Empty weight: 6,150 kg (13,564 lb)
    Loaded weight: 12,200 kg (26,872 lb)

Powerplant:
    2x BMW 801A 14-cylinder radial engine, 1,560 PS (1,539 hp, 1,147 kW) each

Performance:
    Maximum speed: 403 km/h (250 mph)
    Cruising speed: 365 km/h (227 mph)
    Combat radius: 2,100 km (1,305 mi)
    Service ceiling: 7,400 m (24,240 ft)
    Wing loading: 139.4 kg/m² (28.2 lb/ft²)
    Power/mass: 188 W/kg (0.116 hp/lb)

Armament:
    1× fixed 20 mm (.787 in) MG 151/20 machine cannon under the front fuselage
    1× flexible 13mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine gun in nose position
    2× remote-controlled 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 in FDSL 131/1B barbettes on the flanks
    A total internal and external ordnance load of 2.000 kg (4.400 lb),
    including up to 5× 250 kg (550 lb) bombs, or two such bombs and one torpedo of 800 kg (1,800 lb),
    or one 920 kg (2,030 lb) sea mine in the Internal bomb bay.
    A single Hs 294 guided glide torpedo, carried externally under the fuselage.
    Alternatively, two underwing hardpoints could carry loads of up to 1.000 kg each, including iron bombs
    and drop tanks (up to 900 l), Hs 293 guided glide bombs and unguided LT10 "Friedensengel" or LT 11
    "Schneewittchen" glide torpedoes.




1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b, '6I+CK' of the 2./SAGr 130, Deutsche Seeluftstreitkräfte; Hafrsfjord (Stavanger), Norway, 1944 (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



A relatively subtle conversion, of a rather overlooked (and actually pretty boring) aircraft. Looks more interesting now, I think, and everything that went into the conversion was picked from real life and mixed up for something new.

The longer, slender BMW 801 engines make the aircraft IMHO look more elegant and purposeful, and the barbettes, as well as the bigger guns in general, are a suitable upgrade, too. The Hs 293 might be a little over the top, but for a slightly futuristic Luft '46 touch it's just the ticket – and from an ordnance load perspective it's even plausible. And, finally, the special paint scheme (which is real, too) just underlines the modernization of the venerable aircraft type for the late 1944 era.

And now there's the question: where do I leave this large thing...? 

[NARSES2]

That's come out well  I don't tend to think of these early war floatplane's being armed with latter war style weapons.

[Dizzyfugu]

Indeed, the He 115 was not an impressive aircraft - it was slow, lightly armed, but pleasnat to fly and stable, even in hard conditions. Anyway, the BMW 801 upgrade was a serioss leap forward, even though I think the He 115 still remained a ponderous aircraft that could hardly stand against enemy fighters. After all, it's a whif of what could have become of the He 115 D...

[63cpe]

Yes, this is great stuff. very well thought-out and excellent executed!
I like the camoscheme and the fritz-X under it's wings!

Marvelous job!
Congrats, David

[PR19_Kit]

That's come out even better than I thought it would, and wholly believable. Well done Thomas. 

That shot moored by the U-Boat pens is particularly impressive.

[Snowtrooper]

Excellent model and photos as usual My favourite is the in-flight shot from below - could almost be used as a boxart, it's even more realistic-looking (IMO) than the sub pen ones, captures the general style really well, and also highlights the things under the wings to differentiate it from "baseline" 115 kit.

[PR19_Kit]

My favourite is the in-flight shot from below - could almost be used as a boxart,

Oh, I thought that WAS the box art. 

[zenrat]

Good job Dizz.

[Dizzyfugu]

Yes, this is great stuff. very well thought-out and excellent executed!
I like the camoscheme and the fritz-X under it's wings!

Marvelous job!
Congrats, David

Thanks a lot (everyone!) - but it's a Hs 293 gliding bomb. The Fritz X would not have worked, because it would have been too heavy (1.400 vs. 1.000 kg) - and the Hs 293 is IMHO the more suitable weapon for the aircraft, too, since the Fritz X had to be dropped from great height (something the He 115 was not really capable of, even though the new BMW 801 could have improved this), while the Hs 293 had a shallow glide vector and could be deployed from some distance of the target. 

Glad you all like it - it's pretty subtle, even though there are a lot of minor changes.

[63cpe]

but it's a Hs 293 gliding bomb. The Fritz X would not have worked, because it would have been too heavy (1.400 vs. 1.000 kg)

keep mixing them up , somehow....they don't really look the same 

David

[Dizzyfugu]

Excellent model and photos as usual My favourite is the in-flight shot from below - could almost be used as a boxart, it's even more realistic-looking (IMO) than the sub pen ones, captures the general style really well, and also highlights the things under the wings to differentiate it from "baseline" 115 kit.

Hmmm, an experiment, but, well... 

1:72 Heinkel He 115 D-4b  (Whif/Matchbox kit conversion) - Fake box art by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

I'd buy it. 

Cheers! 

[loupgarou]

Another masterly build, very realistic and well thought.

[philp]

Looks great.