Max Speed: 258 mph (415 km/h)
Engine: Two Junkers Jumo 211D-2 1,200 hp
Rate of Climb: 42.0 minutes to 19,685 ft (6000m)
Ceiling: 25,590 ft
Range: 745 miles
Guns: Five 7.92 mm MG 15 mg
bombs Load: 4,410 lb (2000 kg)
Number Built of All Types: 7,300
Designed as a fast transport plane capable of assumming a bomber role with minimal adaptation. On 25 Feb. 1935 the first prototype flew. During 1936 six commercial He 111C-0's entered service with Lufthansa but 10 military He 111A-0s were rejected by the Luftwaffe as being underpowered when carrying a warload. All ten were sold to China.
Thirty He 111B-2 bombers were shipped to Spain to provide a bomber force for K/88 of the Legion Condor fighting in the country's Civil War. This provided vaubable combat experience for a large proportion of aircrew in the Luftwaffe.
Although up to 4,410lbs (2000kg) of bombs could be carried the unique arrangement for storage in the internal bomb bay limited the maximum bomb size to a 551 lb (250 kg) bomb, eight of which could be stored tail down, the individual bombs tumbling wildly upon release.
Production exceeded 7300 and for lack of a suitable replacement the Heinkel He 111 made up the bulk of German "heavy" bomber forces for almost the entire war. The HE 111H-6 was the most produced version.