World War II AircraftThe Heinkel He 111 H-series was the Luftwaffe's standard medium bomber in 1939. From an unpromising start disguised as a civilian aircraft; the type had been progressively improved aerodynamically; resulting in its distinctive asymmetric 'stepless' glazed nose; and more powerful Jumo engines had replaced earlier versions. Its crews liked it for its ease of handling and lack of vices; less so when certain light conditions caused the cockpit glazing to become more like mirrors than windows; but no cockpit floor and clear downward vision helped make it an effective bomber. Attacks by French and RAF fighters exposed as weak its defensive armament of three 7.92 mm MG15 flexible machine guns; although more guns were fitted as time went on; it was never adequate. Top level speed of the H-3 powered by two Jumo 211D-1 engines of 1;200 hp each was about 250 mph fully loaded with eight SC 250 250 kg (550 lb) or 32 SC 50 50 kg (110 lb) bombs; cruising speed was about 190 mph and maximum range about 1.100 miles when more lightly loaded; and the aircraft usually carried a crew of five. The aircraft illustrated is A1+BT of Kampfgeschwader 53; all Gruppen of which participated in the raids on London of 15 September 1940 and suffered losses. KG53 flew the He 111 from the first day of the war until finally disbanded with the general abandonment of the Luftwaffe bomber arm in late 1944; when it stood down its H-22s.Illustration (Tim Brown); 2019.