He 115 W.Nr. 1868

[edNorth]

Mark: Do not exactly follow your drift. Basically this is pre-war plate and it seems (and perhaps on both He 115 under discussion) that each component was marked with W.Nr. matching the main W.Nr. of the airframe. The type I have been studying the hardest (Ju 88s) this is not always the case, rather each factory having their own special nummerical "system(s)" and dates vary a lot, but I have "cracked the real meaning of some".

Seaplanes: It seems perfectly logic then, the W.Nr. 1868 be stated about "May 1939" (regardless of "delivery month" or what other term you prefer be working in). Planned / Production wise I label it "April 1940", exactly like the plate says, but then add at least three-four weeks to "first fight" date ("Einflug" but that is not always accurate regarding production figures as stated in Lw/RLM documents) and only then coming Bau Abnahme "delivery date". (for "best fit" if somone is trying interpolate what month it was likely delivered in I whould say only May/June 1939, unless specific date is known.)

I hope I have understood all correctly.

Generally I work with "four dates".
1.) Planned Month (like in "Lieferplan" quantities).
2.) Production Month (K.M. or F.M. on part plates).
3.) First flight (Einflug), obtained from pilot logbooks.
4.) BA / BAL <stamped> Abnahme date.

Best regards
ed