German Heavy Bomber Heinkel He 177 Greif (Griffin): A Comprehensive History of Its Evolution and Military Role.
Heavy Bomber Heinkel He 177
Table of Contents
Designation: Heinkel He 177 Greif
Type: heavy bomber
The Heinkel He 177 Greif (Griffin) holds a unique place in the annals of aviation history as Germany’s sole operational long-range heavy bomber during World War II.
Developed by Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke, this aircraft was a significant component of the Luftwaffe’s strategic bombing capabilities.
Its design was ambitious for its time, aiming to meet demanding performance criteria which included a requirement for a long-range, high-speed bomber that could carry a heavy bomb load.
Despite the innovation behind its creation, the He 177 Greif faced numerous technical challenges throughout its development and service life.
The demands for a bomber with both dive-bombing capabilities and the ability to perform strategic bombing missions led to complex engineering solutions. One of the most notable solutions was the aircraft’s distinctive powerplant setup. This setup paired two engines to drive a single propeller, which, in turn, caused significant reliability issues, similar to the British Avro Manchester.
As such, while the He 177 demonstrated considerable potential, with attributes such as significant payload capacity and the ability to strike deep within enemy territory, the technical difficulties it contended with resulted in a turbulent operational history.
The impact of the Heinkel He 177 Greif on the Luftwaffe’s strategic bombardment efforts during World War II remains a topic of interest for military historians and aviation experts alike.
Design and Development
The Heinkel He 177 Greif represented a significant leap in bomber technology for Germany during World War II.
Engineered by Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke, it faced design challenges, particularly concerning its powerplant, but aimed to fulfill the Luftwaffe’s need for a long-range bomber.
Conceptualization and Prototypes
Heinkel aimed to create a bomber capable of executing the Luftwaffe’s demanding specifications for a heavy bomber, which included the then-innovative requirement for dive bombing.
The initial prototypes, despite issues with weight and stability, laid the foundation for what would become the He 177.
Designed according to the 1938 specifications for a heavy bomber and an anti-ship aircraft, the He 177 V1 flew for the first time on 19 November 1939, when the engines overheated.
The Reich Air Ministry (RLM) guided these developments under the code name “Reichsfeuerzeug,” which humorously referenced the aircraft’s tendency for engine fires.
Powerplant and Performance
The He 177’s unique powerplant, consisting of paired Daimler-Benz DB 606 engines (later the DB 610), was a source of chronic problems.
These engines were effectively two V-12 engines coupled to operate a single propeller, which led to complications with overheating. Overheating was a notorious issue, often resulting in engine fires during flight.
Despite these setbacks, the aircraft’s performance objectives included carrying a substantial bomb load over long distances at high speeds.
Structural Design and Armament
The He 177 had a gross weight that pushed the limits of what heavy bombers at the time could achieve. Its structural design featured a wingspan expansive enough to support its considerable weight, yet it contributed to a high wing loading that influenced its flight characteristics.
The wing area was crafted to balance the need for lift with aerodynamic efficiency.
In terms of armament, Heinkel equipped the He 177 with multiple defensive guns to fend off enemy fighters. They even incorporated heavier manned positions with 13mm guns into its design to ensure the Greif could protect itself from all angles.
Technical Specifications
The Heinkel He 177 Greif was engineered with ambitious performance goals, housing advanced systems and heavy armaments within its robust airframe.
The innovative Daimler-Benz DB 610, essentially two DB 605 engines coupled together to drive a single propeller, was at the heart of the Greif’s propulsion system.
Specifications
Heinkel He 177A-5/R2 | Specifications |
|---|---|
Type | heavy bomber |
Power plant | Two 2,950hp Daimler Benz DB610A-1/B-1, each comprising two inverted-vee-12 liquid-cooled engines geared to one propeller |
Accommodation | 6 |
Wing span | 103 ft 1.75 in (31.44m) |
Length overall | 72 ft 2.5 in (22m) |
Height overall | 21 ft (6.4m) |
Weight empty | 37,038 lb (16,800 kg) |
Weight maximum loaded | 68,343 lb (31,000 kg) |
Max wing loading | 62.25 lb/sqft (303.92 kg/m²) |
Max power loading | 11.58 lb/hp (5.25 kg/hp) |
Max level speed | 273 mph (440 km/h); 295 mph (472 km/h) at 41,000lb (18,615kg) weight |
at height | 20,000 ft (6,100 m) |
Cruising speed | 258 mph (415 km/h) |
at height | 20,000 ft (6,100m) |
initial climb | 853 ft (260m) / min |
Time to height | 29 min to 20,000 ft (6,100 m) |
Time to height | in 30-35 min at gross weight, 50 min at maximum weight to 14,765 ft |
Service ceiling | 26,245 ft (8,000 m) |
Range | 3,417 miles (5,500 km) with 2 FX or HS glide bombs |
Armament:
Heinkel He 777A-4/R2 | specification |
|---|---|
forwards | 1 x 7.29mm MG 81J manually in nose; 1 x 20mm MG 151 manually aimed at front or ventral gondola |
in electrically operated dorsal turret | 1-2 x 13mm MG 131 in forward dorsal turret; 1 x MG 131 in rear dorsal turret |
to the rear | 1 x MG 151 manually aimed in tail; 2 x MG 81 or 1 x MG 131 manually aimed at rear gondola |
Bomb load | maximum internal bomb load 132,00 lb (6,000kg). External load: 2 x Hs 293 or FX 1400 guided bombs, mines or torpedis (total 7,000 kg) |
Additional ordinance options included torpedoes, mines, and guided missiles for varied mission demands.
The Heinkel He 177 Greif could carry a sizeable offensive payload suited to diverse combat scenarios, from traditional bombing runs to deploying torpedoes and mines against maritime targets.
Service statistics:
Heinkel He 177 | figures |
|---|---|
First flight (prototype) | November 19, 1939 |
Production delivery (A-0 pre-series) | November 1941 |
Production delivery (A-1) | March 1942 |
Service delivery (A-5) | February 1943 |
Final delivery | September 1944 |
Unit cost | ? |
Total production figure | 1,146 |
Accepted by Luftwaffe 1/39-12/44 (including transports) | 1,094 |
Production 1939 | - |
Production 1940 | - |
Production 1941 | - |
Production 1942 | 166 |
Production 1943 | 415 |
Production 1944 | 565 |
Production 1945 | - |
in First Line Units 1.9.39 | - |
in First Line Units 20.9.42 | c.19 |
in First Line Units 31.12.42 | 50 |
in First Line Units 10.1.45 | 44 |
Operational History
The Heinkel He 177 Greif, a long-range heavy bomber, played a distinctive role in Luftwaffe’s aerial operations. Its involution across multiple fronts during World War II serves as a testament to its deployment despite underlying technical challenges.
Early Service
The Heinkel He 177 Greif made its initial foray into military service amidst substantial teething problems, notably with its unique coupled engines and associated system failures.
These issues significantly impacted its service ceiling and operational reliability.
Deployed by the Luftwaffe in various roles, the aircraft’s early service was marked by the need for constant modifications to rectify pervasive technical difficulties.
However, after a disastrous debut of the first versions A-0 and A-1 in the summer of 1942 and during the air supply of the Stalingrad pocket, they were withdrawn from the front.
Battlefront Deployment
Throughout World War II, the Greif was utilized on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, tasked with strategic bombing missions over enemy territories.
Its presence over cities in the European Theatre highlighted the Luftwaffe’s commitment to leverage the He 177 for strategic bombardment, despite the aircraft’s mechanical setbacks and limitations.
Notably, during Operation Steinbock, the He 177 formed part of Germany’s last major bombing campaign against Britain, which aimed to disrupt Allied plans and morale.
Around 700 He 177 A-3s and A-5s were mainly used by combat groups over the Eastern Front, where they were also used for ground attacks and were even armed with 5 cm or 7.5 cm Pak guns.
In the west, the most important units were KG 40 and KG 100, which used the He 177 A-5 in the Battle of the Atlantic with Hs 293 and Fritz-X glide bombs and took part in Operation Steinbock against London in the first weeks of 1944.
Here the He 177s were difficult to intercept by British fighter defences, as they flew in at night at an altitude of 9,000 metres and then attacked London in a dive at speeds of up to 700 km/h.
However, when Göring personally observed a mission of 2nd and 3rd KG 100s in Rheine on 13 February 1944, the results were very poor: 14 He 177s taxied onto the runway, 13 took off, eight soon returned with engine damage and of the four that bombed London, only three returned.
Strategic Impact
As a strategic bomber, the Heinkel He 177 had a noticeable but ultimately limited impact on the war effort.
The numerous technical hurdles it faced throughout its service restricted the aircraft’s ability to consistently threaten Allied operations.
Despite this, its involvement in campaigns against the Allies and its ability to carry considerable bomb loads over long distances showcased the potential of Germany’s strategic aviation concepts, albeit not to the extent the Luftwaffe had envisioned.
Variants and Upgrades
The Heinkel He 177 Greif underwent considerable modifications from its early prototypes to the final production variants, each version improving upon the shortcomings of its predecessors.
Pre-Production Models
The initial prototypes of the He 177 Greif were extensively tested to meet Luftwaffe’s rigorous demands for a versatile, long-range bomber.
The eight prototypes were followed by 35 pre-production He 177 A-0 and 130 A-1 aircraft. The He 177 A-1 was built by Ardo from March 1942 to June 1943.
Several pre-production versions, including the A-0 and A-1 series, provided valuable data which informed subsequent designs.
These models tested various bomb loads, defensive armaments, and engine setups, often leading to incremental improvements in the final versions.
Major Versions
A-3: The He 177 A-3 became the first major variant to enter full-scale production. It featured stronger powerplants and modified wings but was plagued by persistent engine reliability issues.
170 A-3s were built from October 1942 and deployed from the end of 1942.
Employed extensively on the Eastern Front, the A-3 could carry a variety of weapons like the radio-controlled HS 293 glide bomb.
A-5: Improvements continued with the He 177 A-5, designed to carry heavier payloads over longer distances. This version offered enhanced defensive armaments and addressed some engine cooling problems that affected earlier models.
826 aircraft of the A-5 version were built from February 1943.
Because the engines were primarily needed for fighter aircraft, there was already a shortage of over 200 for the He 177 in February 1943. More and more He 177s could not be fitted with engines and were later scrapped.
A total of 1,146 He 177s were built between January 1942 and September 1944. Of these, over 800 were still in existence at the end of the war, most of which were never used – mainly due to the fuel shortage from mid-1944.
Six aircraft of the A-5 version were converted to A-6s and seven to A-7s.
Worth mentioning is the V38, a converted A-5, which had only one huge bomb bay. Rumour had it that it was to carry the German atomic bomb, but this has not been proven.
He 177B: Separate from the main A-series, the He 177B was an ambitious redesign effort that attempted to rectify the fundamental issues of the original design.
It featured four separate engines and a larger wingspan, although this version never progressed beyond prototype stages.
The prototype was still waiting for its maiden flight at Farman’s Suresnes aircraft factory when the German troops had to evacuate Paris in August 1944.
The British had already been able to solve similar problems with the heavy Manchester bomber with two twin engines by introducing the Avro Lancaster with four engines.
He 277: Envisioned as a high-altitude bomber, the He 277 was developed in parallel with the B-series. However, despite promising performance estimates, it was not realized due to shifting wartime priorities and resource constraints.
However, the prototype had its maiden flight near Vienna at the end of 1943.
Challenges and Controversies
The Heinkel He 177 Greif faced significant challenges during its development and service, often attributed to ambitious performance requirements and technical hurdles. Controversies also surrounded its acceptance by the German Air Ministry and Luftwaffe.
Technical Problems
One of the main Reliability Issues with the Heinkel He 177 was its Engine Reliability.
The aircraft’s unique powerplant design, which paired two engines within a single nacelle to drive a single propeller, led to frequent overheating.
These power units, named Daimler-Benz DB 606, were complex and not up to the task, which resulted in a disturbing tendency for the engines to catch fire mid-flight, giving the aircraft the nickname Luftwaffenfeuerzeug or “Luftwaffe’s lighter.”
Additionally, Structural Weaknesses were evident, compounding its operational difficulties.
Political and Military Reception
The German Air Ministry and key figures such as Hermann Göring faced criticism over the He 177 due to the insistence on incorporating dive bombing capabilities into a long-range bomber. This contributed to the project’s complications and strained the relationship between the designers and military officials.
It was not until 15 September 1942 that Göring finally ordered that the dive bombing capability for the heavy bomber be removed from the technical requirements.
Moreover, the German Luftwaffe expressed concerns over the aircraft’s performance issues which undermined its strategic effectiveness. Despite the technical and design setbacks, the He 177 was deployed, although it never fully overcame the stigma of its troubled development and operational service history.
Comparisons with Other WWII Heavy Bombers
The Heinkel He 177 Greif, designed as Germany’s primary heavy bomber during World War II, often finds itself compared against the American B-17 Flying Fortress and the British Avro Lancaster. Each of these aircraft had distinct attributes that influenced their respective roles and effectiveness during the war.
The American B-17 Flying Fortress was renowned for its robustness and defensive armament. With up to 13 machine guns and a capacity to carry approximately 4,800 pounds of bombs on long-distance missions, the B-17 was a formidable force. Its ability to sustain significant damage and still return to base earned it a legendary status. In contrast, the Heinkel He 177 struggled with reliability issues, particularly with its engines, which were prone to overheating and catching fire. This mechanical instability often overshadowed its capabilities, such as its heavy bomb load capacity of up to 13,200 pounds and advanced features like a pressurized cockpit.
The British Avro Lancaster stood out for its versatility and large bomb bay, which enabled it to carry the heaviest bombs used during the war, including the 22,000-pound Grand Slam. The Lancaster’s operational flexibility allowed it to perform a variety of missions, from precision bombing raids to dropping mines in enemy waters. The Heinkel He 177, while also designed for strategic bombing, could not match the Lancaster’s operational reliability and versatility. The Lancaster’s four-engine design provided greater reliability and performance compared to the He 177’s twin-engine configuration, which complicated maintenance and operational logistics.
Overall, while the Heinkel He 177 had innovative aspects, its technical difficulties and mechanical failures often rendered it less effective compared to the B-17 and the Avro Lancaster. These comparisons underscore the He 177’s ambitious yet flawed design, highlighting the crucial role of reliability and versatility in successful heavy bomber operations during World War II.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Heinkel He 177 Greif was a notable aircraft with a complex development and operational history. This section provides answers to some common queries regarding its design, performance, and role during World War II.
What were the unique design features of the He 177 Greif?
The He 177 Greif was distinctive for its requirement to perform as a dive bomber, which was unusual for a heavy bomber. It featured a pair of Daimler-Benz DB 606 engines, which were essentially two engines coupled together to form a power system for each wing, creating significant power but also considerable challenges.
How did the performance of the He 177 compare to other bombers of its era?
In terms of performance, the He 177 had a long range and a substantial bomb load capacity comparable to other heavy bombers of the time. However, the dive bombing requirement severely impacted its development, compromising its reliability and service record.
What were the main challenges faced during the development of the He 177?
Development of the He 177 was marred by major issues, particularly the engine configuration that led to frequent fires and mechanical failures. The insistence on incorporating dive bombing capability was also a source of several design problems.
Can you detail the operational history of the He 177 in World War II?
During World War II, the He 177 A-5 variant was utilized mainly on the Eastern Front and occasionally in Western Europe. Despite its design flaws, the aircraft conducted several notable bombing missions, but its full potential was never realized due to constant technical setbacks.
Are there any surviving examples of the He 177 on display today?
No complete airframes of the He 177 are known to exist. Some parts and wreckage have been recovered, but there are no intact examples of the aircraft on public display.
How did the He 177’s capabilities influence its role in Luftwaffe bombing strategies?
The He 177’s capabilities, including its range and payload, initially intended it to be a cornerstone of the Luftwaffe’s strategic bombing strategy.
However, due to its reliability issues, the aircraft was more limited in its role and was unable to fully assert the Luftwaffe’s strategic bombing doctrine.
Users: German Luftwaffe.
References and literature
Luftkrieg (Piekalkiewicz)
Combat Aircraft of World War II (Bill Gunston)
German Aircraft of World War 2 in Colour (Kenneth Munson)
Warplanes of the Luftwaffe (David Donald)
The Luftwaffe Album, Bomber and Fighter Aircraft of the German Air Force 1933-1945 (Joachim Dressel, Manfred Griehl)
Luftwaffe Handbook (Dr Alfred Price)
