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Luftwaffe and Axis Air Forces Please use this forum to discuss the German Luftwaffe and the Air Forces of its Allies. |
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#11
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
Can anyone clarify where precisely the cat grafitti was located and perhaps suggest why it was there - or even what it alludes to?
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#12
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
Adam,
I believe it is on the upper wing surface between the cockpit and port engine and the rear firing MG17 located in the engine fairing. (C1/2 modification?) Still learning. Not sure if it is on both sides upper wings. It is feasible the position of the cat art and its 'rearward' facing position has something to do with the rear facing gun which was a modification on the C model? Very odd to see nose art on an upper wing surface. regards Mark PS Anyone know where the main plate was located on the He115. Does not seem to be cockpit area/side of the fuselage. Fw189 had it on the wing tip. Could it be the same for the He115. I assume it has not been located? |
#13
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
Hello ...
We have found the main plate, located between the wing and cockpit. The drawing of cats, sitting on the upper side of the wing. This will be between engine and Mg17. So the "art" is not visible, you must remove the covers. Hope I answered your question. We have removed the main plate, post picture of it later. With regards from Norway Arnt Espen Skipnes |
#14
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
The post from eknutson contains most of the history of this aircraft.
In a report dated 07.05.1940, the E-Stelle (See) Travemünde list this aircraft with Stammkennzeichen BH+AM. It was built by Henkel Rostock as a He 115B aircraft and was used by the E-Stelle for torpedo trials and float testing. At some point after May 1940, W.Nr. 2398 was transferred to Chef AW (Chef des Ausbildungswesens) and allocated to Flugzeugführerschule (See) 2 Pütnitz. that on 01.01.1941 was redesignated Flugzeugführerschule C 17 in Pütnitz. Due to shortage of He 115 aircraft for the front units, some aircraft including W.Nr. 2398, were pulled out from training units and transferred to Luftzeug Amt (See) and brought up to front standards with the designation He 115B/C in late August 1942. For W.Nr. 2398 this included the installation of a fixed forward firing 20 mm Hispano-Suiza MK404 under the nose, as well as two fixed rearward firing Rheinmetall-Borsig MG 17, one in each engine nacelle. The aircraft was then issued to Küstenfligerestaffel 1./906 in Billefjord North Norway in the autumn of 1942. Due to losses the unit was ordered to transfer to Stavanger Sola (See) in early December 1942. On 28.12.1942 W.Nr. 2398, now with the unit code 8L+FH, was lost during landing at its base in Hafrsfjord (Stavanger-Sola) with tail-wind. The left float cut into the water causing the struts to collapse. The plane then capsized and sank shortly after. However, no casualties were reported in connection with this accident. One float and engine, together with most of the armament was salvaged. |
#15
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
In the case of armament on the plane, we found nothing to indicate that the aircraft was equipped with a 20 mm Hispano-Suiza MK404 under the nose. The remaining weapons, we have rescued from the plane MG15 and MG17.
Regards Arnt Espen Skipnes |
#16
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
Dear Arnt,
That was why I was questioning whether it was a C1/C2 as there did not seem to be any evidence of the 20mm cannon under the nose though the rear facing guns behind the nacelles is C modification? Even if salvaged, there should be some fitting for the cannon and ammunition? I also thought one engine and BOTH floats were salvaged including the struts (supports)? I am still trying to work out how the cat 'graffitti was covered and how covered. Again, was it on both sides of the He115? Where was the cat artwork? http://www.aviastar.org/pictures/germany/he-115.gif regards Mark |
#17
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
Hello Mark
Hope this helps.... Regards Arnt |
#18
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
Dear Arnt,
Thanks, now I understand. Thank you. Look forward to seeing what the main plate say. regards Mark |
#19
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
The He 115 was produced in the following versions excluding prototypes:
He 115A-0 (pre production series) He 115A He 115B-1 He 115B-2 (only difference to B-1 was optional ice runners under the floats) He 115B/C conversions only of B version aircraft with upgraded armamant in form of the 20 mm MK404 gun under the nose and 2 x MG 17 firing rearward in engine necelles. He 115C He 115D (planned but never produced long range version) He 115N (export to Norway 6 + 6 aircraft) He 115S (export to Sweden 12 + 1 aircraft) Some 67 B and C models were given extra fuel tanks by Weser in a conversion programme 1940/1941. This was done rather than producing the He 115D. This information is based on a large number of original Heinkel, RLM and Luftwaffe documents. |
#20
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Re: Heinkel He 115 WNr 2398 emerges from the sea near Stavanger
The plane is in a remarkably well-preserved condition. At least it seems so.
Is this due to the water conditions - a greater sweet-water portion in this part of the fjord - or the surface preparation of the plane? According to my informations Luftwaffe planes used under saltwater conditions received special paint layers and combinations to protect aluminum as well as canvas surfaces. I remember some special greenish primer similar to ELOXAL surfaces used in areas which could be affected by salty humidity esp within the wings, floats etc. Any traces of such treatment? Regards Roland |
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