He 111 V28, V29 & V30

[Nick Beale]

On Bundesarchiv RM 7/2386 there's a memo of 6 May 1940 about adapting the He 111 and Ju 88 for torpedo operations

This note starts off:

1) Available Aircraft
There are three He 111 H at E-Stelle Travemünde with special fittings for the use of torpedoes. These are not series aircraft but prototypes (V.28, 29 30?). On these three aircraft the series installation for torpedoes has been carried out. They can carry two torpedoes and have the requisite adjustment devices for torpedoes.

The question mark is in the original text but does anyone know anything more about the V28, V29 and V30, e.g. their Werk Nummern?

(Annoyingly, the memo's second page, about the Ju 88, is missing by the way).

[Seaplanes]

According to BA/MA RL36/294, the following He 111 was recorded in use by E-Stelle (See) Travemünde on 7 May 1940:
He 111B-1 W.Nr.1011 D-AREP/TH+HT
He 111P-2 W.Nr.2598 D-AERJ/TH+HV tests with PVC 1006 and PVC 505.
He 111 W.Nr.2762 D-ADBS/TH+HU
He 111P-2 W.Nr.2830 BL+NJ various incl.Lichtenstein.
He 111H-2 (V29) W.Nr. 5556 RJ+NE Various incl. Abwurfversuche SC 1000.
He 111H-2 W.Nr.6871 PB+NB sam,e as for V29.
He 111H-3 W.Nr. 6870 DB+NA no tasks reported.

[igorrB]

Originally Posted by Nick Beale

(Annoyingly, the memo's second page, about the Ju 88, is missing by the way).

Absolutely same information contains in NARA T-1022, roll 1953, page 415 in pdf-file, and Ju.88 included

[AndyMa]

Thanks for the info.
Would it not be more likely that:
He 111H-2 W.Nr.6871 PB+NB sam,e as for V29.
He 111H-3 W.Nr. 6870 DB+NA no tasks reported.
would be either PB+NB, PB+NA, or DB+NB, DB+NA (so a typo in the record for one of them?)
Also, both are He111H-3

[Nick Beale]

Thanks, everyone.

Since the document I was quoting says that the three protoypes are fitted with the Jumo 211 D, I think it's pretty clear that the three H-models are the ones in question.

[edNorth]

Originally Posted by AndyMa

Thanks for the info.
Would it not be more likely that:
He 111H-2 W.Nr.6871 PB+NB sam,e as for V29.
He 111H-3 W.Nr. 6870 DB+NA no tasks reported.
would be either PB+NB, PB+NA, or DB+NB, DB+NA (so a typo in the record for one of them?)
Also, both are He111H-3

Both are "interpolated" made before sequential Stkz. were ordered (late 18.10.1939) and such quirks in this period are known and one must be careful. Further report on them three (RJ+NE / DB+NA / PB+NB Weser conversions on F 5 Torpedoes and LMA 3 and LMB 3 mines) is in KdE Rechlin report {T177 R39 P842 (#3730367) and T321 R57 P56 is Tr List as in RL 36/294} curiously one is said with DB 601 A engines but not Jumo 211 (something is suspect here) and just one is stated V-muster
Ju 88 as LT aircraft (known already by 06.39) were stated cancelled before 06.05.40 (its on the missing page - and elsewhere, RM 7/2386 P100) to reappear with two more He 111 H-5 W.Nr. 3887 and 3890 in 1941. Ju 88 does not need have been assigned any designation if not built.

[Seaplanes]

In my earlier post, I wrote what E-Stelle (See) had written in their aircraft inventory listing. Having checked the matter further, I can verify that the correct Stammkennzeichen for the two He 111 W.Nr. 6870 and 6871 should be DP+NA and DP+NB respectively. DB+NA was apparently allocated to an Arado Ar 66.
One interesting fact is that W.Nr. 5556 V29 was listed with Jumo 211A engines.

[Stig Jarlevik]

[quote=Seaplanes;342676] Having checked the matter further, I can verify that the correct
Stammkennzeichen for the two He 111 W.Nr. 6870 and 6871 should be DP+NA and DP+NB
respectively. DB+NA was apparently allocated to an Arado Ar 66./QUOTE]

Sure about that Björn?

Previously the two STKZ DP+NA/DP+NB have been reported as two Fi 256

I also have two Ar 66 listed as DB+NA/DB+NB but again +NA as "our" He 111 WNr 6870!
Seems to me the RLM created a real headache in 1939-40 when everyone should apply
for a STKZ for their given inventory. Perhaps lots of mistakes took place?

Cheers
Stig

[Seaplanes]

Hi Stig !

I have used two inventory lists from E-Stelle (See), one date 04.04.1940 and
one dated 07.05.1940.
W.Nr. 6871 is mentioned in both as PB+NB.
W.Nr. 6870 was possibly a new addition in April, because its only on the
inventory report dated 07.05.1940 as DB+NA. It is also reported as an
He 111H-3 with Jumo 211D engines,
W.Nr. 6871 is reported as a He 111H-2 with DB 601A engines.
I have also consulted Stammkennzeichen.de, and they list the
St.Kz. DP+NA to DP+NE as allocated to a series of Fi 256A-01 to A-05.
This can drive you crazy. Obviously, there are a lot of typo errors and
photo misreadings out there.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Can't more than agree Björn

Good to know I am not the only one going crazy regarding the STKZ (especially the early ones)...

Cheers
Stig