He 112 an effective fighter?

[daveh]

I am aware of some successes achieved by the He 112 in Romanian service. I was wondering if there were any reports on how effective a fighter the Romanians found the He 112, especially if any comparisons were made with the Bf 109.

[C-2]

The veterans which flew the 112 said it was a good training aircraft before starting flying the 109.
I asked how was the 112 comparing to the 109,and all of them said it was no match!Not in speed manevrability or armament.Only on landing the 112 was more "civilized".The 109 offered also better protection to the pilot.
Not many people know that the 112 was also sold to the Japanese navy,which disliked them intensly because of their high wing loading.

[Dénes]

Here is a quote from the official ARR report, compiled in August 1941:
"The clumsy He 112E, powered by a Jumo 210E [engine], proved to be unsuitable for aerial battles due to its low horizontal speed, insufficient climbing capacity and lack of manoeuvrability compared to the modern aircraft encountered. Its diving speed, which could be reached very quickly, was adequate, however. The possibility to carry six 12 kg bombs was useful as well, being successfully employed in low level attacks. If the fuel tanks and pilot's seat would have been protected by armour [plates], the heavy human losses endured in such kind of missions could have been avoided.
The armament fitted, consisting of a practical combination of cannon and heavy machine guns, was also sufficient numerically and concerning firepower. The ammunition used, however, proved to be totally inadequate, as the armour [protecting] enemy aircraft wasn't penetrated by the [Heinkel 112's] existing armament. There occurred several occasions when tracer bullets fired by their own cannon and guns indicated to the pilot that the whole load had hit the target without causing [its] destruction."

Dénes

P.S. Coincidence: this is my 112th post...

[daveh]

Many thanks for the information, C-2 and Denes. Fascinating to read first hand comments rather than just dull reference works.

[Florin]

Hi,

Even before the start of Word War II the Messerchmidt Bf 109 was the favorite of the Luftwaffe command, and the He 112 the looser in this comparation. But both planes were born from the same design task originated from the Luftwaffe leadership. I think that request for new fighters designs was issued in 1935.

Florin

[Der Maresal]

There is a very interesting article in the romanian aviation magazine "Aeronautica" about the 5th Fighter group and it's Heinkel 112's.

Go to this adress, you will find a buch of these magazines, -

http://www.aerodesign-am.home.ro/pgid1_site_RO.html



enjoy reading it :wink:
ps: if image does not work: right click and 'show picture' or go to the adress above.