HEINKEL HE 46C

The Heinkel He 46 was a two-seater reconnaissance aircraft cooperating with the German army in a high-wing fixed undercarriage system with a classic tail. The drive was provided by a single Siemens SAM 22B radial engine with a capacity of 650 HP. The prototype flight took place in 1931. The Heinkel He 46 was slowly replaced by the Hs 126 from 1938, but returned to service in 1943. In total, about 500 aircraft of this type were produced. The Heinkel He 46 was designed to complement the He 45 aircraft, which was a long-range reconnaissance aircraft. The He 46, on the other hand, was to be used for reconnaissance at short and medium distances. It was also supposed to act as a training machine. In the design of He 46, the emphasis was primarily on the possibility of quick and mass production, therefore, proven and reliable solutions were used. Low production costs were also an important element. Several development versions of the He 46 were produced in the course of serial production. The most produced was the He 46C version, which was used as a liaison, reconnaissance and light bomber. He 46 was exported to Bulgaria and Hungary. Machines of this type also took part in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) in the ranks of the nationalists and during the September campaign in 1939. They were used in a marginal way in the years 1943-1945 for night raids on the front positions of the Soviet troops.