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Model of the Month September 2017 Heinkel He 42

Heinkel He 42 (before 1934: HD 42) (showcase 6)

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In the years 1929/30 Heinkel designed the seaplane HD 24 as a succsesor of the sea biplane HD 42.

Here we must briefly explain the notation system of Heinkel: Heinkel’s monoplanes were labeled HE - meaning Heinkel Eindecker, biplanes were lab

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eled HD - Heinkel Doppldecker. This system changed when the Nazi goverrnment created the new Department of Aviation, which established a new code. All German aircraft companies were assigned letters and Heinkel got the abreviation He; thus HD 42 became He 42.

This airplane was designed especially for the training of sea pilots. The prototype HD 42a took off in 1930. A lot of modifications were necessary due to the fact that the flight quality was much worse than that of its predecessor HD 24. The fuselage had to be streched and the dihedral angle of the wings had to be changed.

The owner of the plane was the DVS. The following types HD 42C and HD 42D had a much better catapult performance. In 1933 another type with a stronger Junkers engine, the HD 42 E was built. This type again was replaced by the Heinkel He 60, a much better and very modern plane. Some of these He 42 planes served in flying schools up to the year 1944.

Technical Data

 

upper wing span 14 m, lower wing span 13 m; length 10.7 m; height 4.3 m; float track 3.2 m; total wing area 56 sqm; dry weight 1790 kg; take-off weight 2285 kg;

engines: BMW Va, 6 cyl. watercooled upright in-line engine with 280 kW/380 HP or Junkers Jumo L5 in identical design

crew 2; max. speed (BMW) 190 km/h; (Jumo) 182 km/h; cruising speed ca. 160 km/h;

range of aircraft 1050 km