Heinkel HE 12

Heinkel

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1922
Headquarters	Germany

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The Heinkel HE 12 was a German-built mail plane from 1929, equipped with pontoons and engineered specifically for catapult launches from ocean liners.

Development

The idea originated after Norddeutscher Lloyd (NDL) transported a Junkers F.13 seaplane aboard the Lutzow in 1927, using it to offer passenger flights while docked. NDL executives recognized that deploying a seaplane from a liner could serve a more functional commercial purpose by enabling airmail dispatch far before arriving at port, significantly reducing delivery times. In response, Heinkel developed a catapult system intended for installation on NDL’s forthcoming liners, the Bremen and Europa, along with an aircraft designed to transport mail. Due to maintenance challenges experienced by the Lutzow crew with the F 13, operational responsibility was transferred to Deutsche Luft Hansa. Consequently, when Bremen embarked on its inaugural journey in 1929, it carried one HE 12 (registration D-1717) onboard.

The HE 12 evolved from the military Heinkel HE 9 model; it featured a conventional low-wing monoplane layout supported by struts. The pilot and radio operator were seated in tandem within open cockpits, while mail was stored in a compartment positioned behind them.

He 58

A second model, known as D-1919 or Atlantik, was constructed specifically for operations from the Europa, the sister vessel to the Bremen. Referred to as the He 58, this variant was marginally larger, featuring an enhanced payload capacity and a side-by-side open cockpit arrangement for the crew. It was powered by a 370 kW (500 hp) BMW Hornet A engine, which initially lacked a cowling but was later equipped with an extended full cowling incorporating cooling vents on its front surface.

Operational history

On 22 July, while still approximately 400 km (250 mi) away from New York City, the Bremen successfully deployed the HE 12 aircraft. Roughly two and a half hours after unloading, mail dispatched from Berlin had completed its journey to New York in just two and a half days. The following day, amid an audience of 3,500 spectators, mayor Jimmy Walker officially named the HE 12 after the city. During the return flight, the newly named New York took off from Bremen near Cherbourg on 1 August and touched down in Bremerhaven four hours later. This allowed mail to be transferred onto another plane, reaching Berlin that same afternoon—only five and a half days after departing New York. Utilizing the seaplane reduced travel time by about 20 hours westbound and shortened eastbound transit by one to two days.

The HE 12 (D-1717, New York) remained in regular service aboard Bremen until it suffered extensive damage in an accident at Cobequid Bay on 5 October 1931.

Meanwhile, the He 58 (D-1919, Atlantik) continued operating from Europa until it was superseded by Junkers Ju 46 floatplane models.

Variants

HE 12

The original floatplane designed for catapult launch as a mail carrier, featuring tandem open cockpits and operating from Bremen.

He 58

A slightly larger follow-up aircraft with side-by-side seating and increased payload capacity, flown from Europa.

External links

• "Shot From Ships" Archived 1 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine Air Classics, March 2002 by John C. Cook
• "New Catapult Drives Plane From Deck of Liner", November 1929, Popular Mechanics image showing Heinkel 12 on Bremen catapult
• "Catapult For Planes Is Engineering Wonder" Popular Mechanics, September 1930