Heinkel He-115L

[TomZ]

Heinkel He-115L



In the late 1930's the Argentinian Navy was looking for a light bomber/torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft to provide their air arm with a strike capability. Ideally they would like a combination of sea planes and land based aircraft. In order to minimize maintenance and spares they to types should have a maximum of interchangeable components.
The American Martin factory offered the Martin 139, an export version of the Martin B-10 bomber. They also offered an option to equip the 139 with floats and operate as a seaplane.



The German Heinkel factory offered the newer He-115 seaplane. The Heinkel had a better performance and range and was preferred by the Argentinian Navy but was designed as a seaplane only. To overcome this objection, the Heinkel factory offered a mix of He-115B seaplanes and Heinkel He-115L land based planes.
This offer was accepted and the first seaplanes were delivered to Argentina in 1938. The first land based He-115L followed in 1939. In all 24 He-115B's and 14 He-115L's were delivered. They remained in service until 1945 when they were replaced by PBY-5A Catalina's from the USA.
The German Luftwaffe and Dutch East India Air Force also showed a brief interest in the He-115L but in the end no orders were placed.



Also on: http://www.airwar1946.nl/whif/L46-HE115L.htm

TomZ
http://www.airwar1946.nl/index.htm

[63cpe]

Woooooow That turned out a real stunning looker!

Good job! Love the Argentine colors....

David aka 63cpe

[dumaniac]

Love it

[NARSES2]

Amazing NM finish and love the look of it as a land plane 

[zenrat]

Love it.

[Ed S]

well done. Looks right!