Heinkel HD 39

Heinkel

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1920s (1920s)
Headquarters	Germany
Products	Aircraft

The Heinkel HD 39 was a purpose-built cargo aircraft produced in Germany during the 1920s, designed specifically for distributing the Berlin-based newspaper B.Z.. It featured a traditional single-bay biplane configuration with staggered wings of equal span, and a fuselage that nearly filled the space between the wings. The pilot operated the aircraft from an open cockpit, while the undercarriage was fixed, incorporating a tailskid and divided main landing gear units. This model was unique, constructed after Ernst Heinkel discovered by chance that B.Z. had ordered two similar aircraft from Albatros. Heinkel persuaded the publisher Ullstein-Verlag to acquire an additional plane from his company.

The HD 39’s design drew upon the earlier HD 27 mail plane, incorporating a specialized cargo compartment tailored to transport newspapers in bundles weighing up to 50 kg (110 lb). Its cargo bay was divided into ten separate sections that could be opened individually during flight, enabling the air-drop of newspapers to locations where landing was not feasible.

This aircraft commenced service in April 1926 alongside two Albatros L 72 planes and continued operating until 1931, when aerial distribution of B.Z. was transferred to Deutsche Luft Hansa.

Specifications

File:Heinkel HD-39 3-view Les Ailes July 1, 1926.png

Heinkel HD-39 three-view illustration from Les Ailes, July 1, 1926