Heinkel He 42

Heinkel
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1922
Headquarters	Germany

Template:Infobox aircraft The Heinkel HD 42 50, subsequently re-designated as the Heinkel He 42, was a German two-seat biplane seaplane initially created for the Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule. It was later produced for use by the German Luftwaffe. This aircraft continued to serve as a maritime pilot trainer throughout the duration of World War II.

Design and development

In 1929, Heinkel introduced the HD 42 biplane, designed specifically for the secretive military training group Deutsche Verkehrsfliegerschule (DVS). Its fuselage featured a welded steel tube framework with a rectangular shape and a rounded upper surface. Lightweight metal was used for the engine cowling, while fabric covered the remainder of the fuselage. The aircraft was outfitted with floats for water operations.

The HD 42 earned positive evaluations from the Swedish Navy, which had acquired the model, as well as from renowned aviator Gunther Plüschow, known for being the first pilot to fly over the Patagonian mountain range at Tierra del Fuego, spanning Chile and Argentina. The prototype was powered by a BMW Va engine; however, subsequent variants were equipped with a Junkers L5G powerplant.

By 1932, ten units had been produced when an updated version, the He 42C, was introduced. Mass production commenced with the He 42D variant—fourteen units manufactured—intended for the German Air Force during a period when its existence was prohibited. In 1934, an additional 189 He 42E models were built and these aircraft remained in service at various flight schools until the conclusion of World War II.