A graphic indication of the Luftwaffe’s activities in the Battle of Narvik during the Norwegian campaign in the spring and early summer of 1940, with the running total of attacks on shipping carried out by this Focke-Wulf Fw 200. Narvik is a major town on the coast of northern Norway.
Focke-Wulf Fw 200
The Fw 200, known as the ‘Condor’, was a four-engine monoplane originally developed as a long-range airliner. On 14 April 1938 the prototype had made the first heavier-than-air non-stop flight between Berlin and New York, making the return trip shortly afterwards. In its military form the Fw 200 served as a long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-shipping patrol and attack aircraft, and also as a transport aircraft.
A preflight briefing for a crew about to head out on patrol over the Atlantic. Initially the aircraft had been deployed in support of the Kriegsmarine, both in the North Sea and, after the fall of France made more westerly bases available, in the Atlantic. In addition to carrying a 900kg bomb load or naval mines, the Condors searched for Allied convoys and reported their positions to the U-boats. From mid-1941 the low-level attacks on shipping, done in order to bracket the placing of bombs, were halted in a bid to preserve numbers.
An excellent side view of the big aircraft. The military Fw 200 ‘C’ versions were powered by four BMW 132H engines, and the aircraft usually had a crew of five.
This photograph clearly shows the Fw 200’s extended version of the ventral or underside gondola, which was a common feature of Germany’s bomber aircraft. The gondola on the Fw 200 incorporated the bomb bay, plus glazed defensive machine-gun emplacements fore and aft.These were armed with four 13mm MG 131 guns, and it also had a single 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon in the forward gondola.
The BMW engines are warmed up prior to take-off on a mission against Atlantic convoys, and the aircraft is also shown in flight. The Condor had a flight endurance time of 14 hours and a nominal range of 3,560 km or 2,212 miles.
The Condor crew donning life vests in preparation for a patrol over the Atlantic.
Heinkel He 59
Working on the engine of a Heinkel He 59, a biplane that was designed in 1930 to operate on wheeled landing gear or on floats, as shown here, although only the prototype was actually fitted with wheels. In addition to its role as a reconnaissance, minelayer and anti-shipping attack aircraft, it was later used as a trainer and for air-sea rescue duties before being retired from service in 1944.
The open cockpit of a floatplane, another photograph of the He 59 shown on the previous page. It had a crew of four.
Heinkel He 115 floatplane
There’s no mistaking the distinctive plan view of the big Heinkel He 115 floatplane. This twin-engined monoplane was introduced into service in 1939 as a torpedo bomber, and was also used for reconnaissance and minelaying duties. It was powered by two 947hp BMW 132K air-cooled radials on most versions.
View of a Norwegian harbour seen from the nose of a Heinkel He 111.
Locating enemy shipping.
Arado Ar 196
The Ar 196, a shipboard reconnaissance floatplane. It had been developed as a replacement for the Heinkel He 114, which had featured an unusual biplane design with a much shorter than usual lower wing. The AR 196, a conventional low-wing monoplane, became the standard aircraft of the Kriegsmarine throughout the war. It was launched from a ship via a catapult system.
The big He 115 has been described as the Luftwaffe’s most successful attack and reconnaissance seaplane. Around 500 were built.
Preparing the engines in readiness for flight.