By Stijn Mitzer and Joost Oliemans
Looking at the title and header image one might easily be led to conclude that we've gotten the aircraft type wrong for this particular article. Where is the characteristic fully glazed cockpit everyone has come to know the Heinkel He 111 for, one might ask.* Nonetheless, this aircraft too is a German-made Heinkel He 111. In fact, it's one of 24 aircraft of the type delivered to the Turkish Air Force (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) in late 1937 and early 1938. The lack of the He 111's most distinguishing feature is explained by the fact that the aircraft purchased by Türkiye were of the earlier J series, while the infamous glazed nose cockpit design was only introduced on aircraft from the more common P series onwards.
With that potential stumbling block out of the way, it is time to answer why Türkiye ended up acquiring He 111s in the first place. 1930s Türkiye lacked the military means to confront newly emerging threats, most notably the rise of fascist Italy in the Mediterranean. Confronted with a dilapidated military, Türkiye began ordering large quantities of armament from abroad. This also included the country's first true bombers in the form of the Martin 139WT purchased from the U.S. [1] Though a significant improvement over the 1920s-era Breguet 19 biplanes that still made up the brunt of the country's offensive aerial capabilities, the acquisition of just 20 bombers was hardly sufficient for the defence needs of a country as large as Türkiye.
For this reason, a number of aircraft manufacturers were invited to show off their latest products in Türkiye in March 1937. Eager to do business with Türkiye, Heinkel showcased its newest He 111 F-0 design. This type appears to have won the admiration of its Turkish hosts, and the demonstration flights were soon followed by an order for 24 He 111 J-1s in March 1937. [2] 18 of these already arrived in October of that same year, with the remaining six following suit in early 1938. It has also been reported that Türkiye received two Dornier Do 17s, though this could possibly be a mix-up with the aircraft that were demonstrated in the country in 1937 for the tender that was ultimately won by Heinkel. [3]
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One of two images that show a Do 17 M or P in Turkish markings. It remains uncertain whether Türkiye actually acquired the type or if Dornier painted one of its aircraft in a Turkish livery during the 1937 demonstration flights. |
However, the Turkish Air Force soon ran into a bit of a pickle as Berlin notified Ankara in June 1941 that the further supply of spare parts for the He 111 was unlikely because of the aircraft's obsolence. [5] The reason for this poor excuse became apparent days later when Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union, thus requiring all spare parts for its own He 111s. Not willing to relinquish its He 111s to the aircraft dumpyard, Türkiye then turned to the United Kingdom with the curious request if it could supply He 111 spare parts scavenged from aircraft that crash-landed during the 1940 Blitz. London agreed and provided eight engines, engine spare parts, airframe parts and cockpit instruments. [5]
The dwindling number of operational He 111 airframes could meanwhile be made up for by a steady supply of bomber aircraft from the United Kingdom, including some 50 Bristol Blenheims and Beauforts. In 1944 the remaining He 111 J-1s were grouped together with five interned ex-USAAF B-24D Liberator heavy bombers in a ''Strategic Bomber'' unit. The B-24Ds were part of two formations of eleven aircraft in total that had crash-landed in Türkiye in 1942 and 1944 and had been made operational by the Turkish Air Force. When the He 111 J-1s were withdrawn one year later in late 1945, eight of the 24 aircraft originally acquired were still operational, a testament to its sturdy design.
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The Nazi roundel used during the He 111's delivery flight makes way for the Turkish flag on the tail of a He 111 J. |
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One might easily (but mistakenly) believe this image shows two Heinkel He 111s over the English countryside hadn't it been for the Turkish markings on the wings. |
* Despite reader feedback, the author remains convinced that the He 111's famous glass nose should be considered common knowledge.
[1] From Martin 139 To Kızılelma: 85 Years Of Turkish Bombers https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/01/from-martin-139-to-kzlelma-85-years-of.html
[3] Dornier Do 17 https://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Waffen/Do17-R.htm
[4] FOCKE-WULF AIRCRAFT: FW 190Aa-3/FW 58K-10 http://www.ole-nikolajsen.com/TURKISH%20FORCES%202004/FW%20190%20fotos.pdf
[5] The Turkish Air Force, 1939-45: The Rise of a Minor Power https://www.jstor.org/stable/4283380