Vom Original Zum Modell: Heinkel He 111

In all its many variants, about 7,000 Heinkel He 111s were produced. The type first flew in 1935 but did not enter Luftwaffe service until 1937, though a civilian transport version had been in service with Lufthansa since the previous year. The Heinkel He 111 first saw active service during the Spanish Civil War. The aircraft was used to equip Kampfgruppe 88, the bomber component of Legion Condor, Hitler’s aerial assistance to the Spanish fascists. Its first operational sorties took the form of raids against Republican held airfields in March 1937. Throughout the course of World War II, the Heinkel He 111 served in a wide variety of roles. Though mainly used as a bomber, it also undertook reconnaissance, torpedo bombing, glider towing and transport roles.