CASA 2.111 vol3 – WalkAround

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The CASA 2.111 was a Spanish medium bomber derived from the famous German **Heinkel He 111H** during and after World War II. It was built under license by Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA) in Spain and served as the backbone of the Spanish Air Force’s bomber and maritime fleet for many decades.

Origins and Development

• German Base: The design originates from the Heinkel He 111H, which was a vital part of the Luftwaffe’s bomber force. Spain had received a batch of He 111s from Germany during the Spanish Civil War and World War II.
• License Production: CASA secured a license to produce the aircraft domestically. Production began during World War II, but was hampered by problems related to the supply of the original German **Junkers Jumo 211F** liquid-cooled engines.
• The Engine Problem: The German engines proved difficult to acquire and maintain post-WWII. This led to the most significant design modification: the adoption of the American-designed, British-built **Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-29 V-12 liquid-cooled engines** in the 1950s.

The Merlin-Powered Variant (The Iconic Version)

The installation of the Merlin engines fundamentally changed the appearance and performance of the Spanish He 111, creating the most common and recognizable variant:

• New Look: The Merlin engines gave the aircraft a distinctive, pointed nose profile, compared to the boxier cowling of the original Jumo engines. This is the feature that most easily distinguishes the Spanish aircraft from its German ancestor.
• Performance: The Merlin engines provided better power and reliability, improving the aircraft’s overall performance and range, although it remained a relatively slow, heavy bomber by post-WWII standards.

Key Variants and Roles

The CASA 2.111 served in various roles throughout its long service life:

• CASA 2.111B: The initial production version powered by the German Jumo engines.
• CASA 2.111D: The primary Merlin-engined bomber variant.
• CASA 2.111E: A dedicated maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and search-and-rescue variant, often equipped with radar.

Operational History and Legacy

• Long Service: The CASA 2.111 had an extraordinarily long career, serving with the Spanish Air Force (Ejército del Aire) from the early 1940s well into the **early 1970s**, a remarkable lifespan for a World War II-era bomber.
• Film Star: Due to its close resemblance to the original Heinkel He 111, the CASA 2.111 became famous worldwide as the primary German bomber used in major war films shot in the 1960s, most notably Battle of Britain (1969), which featured many flying examples.

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