Heinkel He 50

During 1931, the Japanese Navy placed an order with Heinkel to produce a twin-seat dive bomber that was capable of carrying 250 kg (550 lb) of bombs, stressed for catapult launches, and capable of using either wheeled or float undercarriages. The resulting aircraft was a further development of the company's previous combat aircraft dating back to the First World War while also incorporating various improvements and advances to fulfil changing expectations as well as recent advances in aeronautical knowledge. During the summer of 1931, an initial prototype, the Heinkel He 50aW, was completed. In terms of its general configuration, it was a biplane of mixed construction, outfitted with twin floats and powered by a single Junkers L5 inline engine. Flight testing found that this engine was somewhat underpowered. ==Design==

The He 50 was an equal-span biplane. It was a relatively stable and sturdy aircraft that was capable of achieving a fairly high speed as well as a relatively very low landing speed. It possessed favourable flying qualities, a long radius of action, and required only a short take-off distance. The engine and associated accessories (such as cooling elements) were mounted upon a series of steel tubes that were in turn secured to the ends of the four primary longerons via four conical bolts that made it relatively easy to replace. The interior space of the fuselage was relatively spacious and provided sufficient room for the installation of both radio apparatus and sophisticated cameras in addition to baggage. The undercarriage consisted of cold-drawn tubular steel struts that were streamlined with balsa. Rigidity of the landing gear was maintained by a longitudinal tube for each pair of junctions. Each float has a continuous plywood top and duralumin bottom while the internal space was divided into a number of water-tight compartments using bulkheads with wood ribs and plywood walls. ==Operational history==

The He 50aL was redesignated He 50 V1 and demonstrated to the German Defence Ministry in 1932. This resulted in an order for three development aircraft, and a production batch of 60 He 50A-1 aircraft, which were built during the summer of 1933. The Republic of China placed an order for 12 He 50As, but modified with an engine cowling added and designated He 66b. These aircraft were commandeered by the Luftwaffe and redesignated He 50B. In 1935, the He 50 was delivered to the Luftwaffes first dive bomber unit, and later partially equipped nine other dive bombing units. The He 50, however, was steadily replaced by the Henschel Hs 123 and Junkers Ju 87, after which He 50s were transferred to dive bomber training units. ==Variants==

Data from Eden and Moeng ;He 50aW :First prototype as a floatplane, powered by a 291 kW (390 hp) Junkers L5 inline engine, badly damaged in a forced landing. ;He 50aL :Second prototype as a landplane, powered by a 365 kW (490 hp) Siemens Jupiter VI radial engine. ;He 50b :Third prototype designated He 66 for export to Japan, three more completed for German evaluation, powered by a 373 kW (600 hp) Bramo 322B radial. ;He 50A :Dive bomber, reconnaissance version for the Luftwaffe, 60 aircraft built. ;He 50L :Redesignated of the He 50A, production model, Heinkel produced 25, Bayerische Flugzeugwerke produced 35, powered by a 373 kW (600 hp) Bramo 322B radial. ;He 66aCh :12 exported to China, powered by a 358 kW (480 hp) Siemens Jupiter VIIF radial. ;He 66bCh :Powered by a Bramo 322B engine, 12 built for export to China, but impressed into Luftwaffe service as He 50B, later delivered to Hong Kong and remained in storage from January 1936 until July 1937, transferred to Peking for limited service in the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. ;Aichi D1A1 :Some He 66 reconnaissance aircraft were built by Aichi in Japan. ;Aichi D1A2 :Improved version of the Aichi D1A1. ==Operators==

;: • Imperial Japanese Navy - one prototype He 50b ;: 12 He 66aCh, 12 He 66bCh ;: 60 He 50A in Luftwaffe service ; • Spanish Air Force ==Specifications (He 50A)==