Flight, September 1939

Germany's Dive-Bombers
By H.F.King

Heinkel He 270

   In the last issue of Flight reference was made to the Heinkel He 118 single-engined monoplane, which could be used for dive-bombing with a single projectile of 1,100 lb. A development of this aircraft is the He 270, which is generally similar, but has a redesigned cockpit enclosure and a different engine installation. It is not definitely known whether this type is in service with the German Air Force, but the following figures are given as an indication of the potentialities of the modern single-engined dive-bomber.
   Fitted with a Daimler Benz Db 600 G inverted vee-twelve engine of 910 normal h.p., the He 270 is claimed to have a top speed of 267 m.p.h. and a range of 1,550 miles with a disposable load of 4,180 lb.
   A machine such as this would pick up speed very quickly in a dive, and would demand the fitting of the most advanced form of diving brakes and possibly of a reversible-pitch airscrew.