Heinkel He 177 Greif
Heinkel He 177 (Grief or Griffin) was a long-range heavy bomber aircraft flown by the Luftwaffe during World War II.
The second He 177A-0 production prototype (A-02) with broad-bladed propellers.

Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Bomber Aircraft (Heavy)
Manufacturer: Heinkel Flugzeugwerke

Heinkel Logo

Heinkel He 177 Aircraft Overview

The Heinkel He 177 was a long-range heavy bomber aircraft used by the Luftwaffe during World War II. Designed and manufactured by the Ernst Heinkel Flugzeugwerke, the He 177 was intended to fulfill the Luftwaffe’s requirement for a strategic bomber capable of striking targets deep within enemy territory.

One of the most distinctive features of the He 177 was its unique engine arrangement. It was powered by four Daimler-Benz DB 606 or DB 610 engines, each consisting of two coupled engines mounted side by side on a single wing nacelle. This configuration was chosen to provide the necessary power for long-range missions while minimizing drag and maximizing fuel efficiency.

The He 177 had a sleek and aerodynamic design, featuring a twin-fuselage layout with a deep bomb bay located between the fuselages. This allowed the aircraft to carry a significant bomb load, including conventional bombs, guided missiles, and torpedoes. The bomb bay was also equipped with advanced bombing sights and aiming equipment to ensure accurate targeting of enemy installations.

Despite its innovative design, the He 177 faced numerous technical challenges and setbacks during its development and operational service. Engine reliability issues, structural weaknesses, and production delays plagued the aircraft throughout its lifespan. Additionally, the complex engine arrangement made maintenance and servicing difficult, leading to a high rate of attrition among He 177 units.

Nevertheless, the Heinkel He 177 saw action on the Eastern Front, Western Front, and Mediterranean Theater, where it conducted bombing raids against enemy industrial targets, cities, and strategic infrastructure.

Heinkel He 177 A-5/R2 Specifications

  • Crew: 6
  • Length: 22.00 m (72 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 31.44 m (103 ft 2 in)
  • Height: 6.67 m (21 ft 11 in)
  • Wing area: 100 m2 (1,100 sq ft)
  • Airfoil: He 1.5 36.8 17.3-0.715-36.6
  • Empty weight: 16,800 kg (37,038 lb)
  • Gross weight: 32,000 kg (70,548 lb)
  • Useful load: 15,200 kg (33,500 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 610 24-cylinder liquid-cooled piston engines, 2,218 kW (2,975 hp) each
  • Propellers: 4-bladed VDM constant-speed propellers

Heinkel He 177 A-5/R2 Performance

  • Maximum speed: 488 km/h (303 mph, 263 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in level flight
  • Cruise speed: 415 km/h (258 mph, 224 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
  • Stall speed: 135 km/h (84 mph, 73 kn)
  • Range: 6,000 km (3,700 mi, 3,200 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
  • Rate of climb: 3.2 m/s (630 ft/min)
  • Wing loading: 310 kg/m2 (63 lb/sq ft)
  • Power/mass: 5.25 kg/hp (11.6 lb/hp)

Heinkel He 177 A-5/R2 Armament

  • Guns: ** One 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 81 machine gun in nose.
    • One 20 mm (0.8 in) MG 151 cannon in forward belly gondola, and one in tail.
    • Two 13 mm (0.5 in) MG 131 machine gun in FDL 131Z remotely operated forward dorsal turret, and one in rear belly gondola, one in manned HDL 131/1 aft dorsal turret
  • Bombs: Up to 7,000 kilograms (15,000 lb of ordnance internally, up to 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) externally on underwing racks.
    • 48 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs or 12 × 250 kg (550 lb) bombs or 10 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs
    • 6 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs or 6 × 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bombs or
    • 4 × 1,400 kg (3,100 lb) bombs or 4 × 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) bombs or 2 × 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) bombs or 2 × 2,500 kg (5,500 lb) bombs
    • 2 × 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bombs and 2 × 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) bombs or 2 × 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) bombs and 2 × 1,700 kg (3,700 lb) bombs
    • 2 × 1,800 kg (4,000 lb) bombs and 2 × LMA III mines
    • 6 × LMA III mines (3,000 kg (6,600 lb)) or 4 × LMB III mines (4,000 kg (8,800 lb))
    • 2 × LT 50 torpedoes under the wings
    • 2 × FX 1400 Fritz X or Henschel Hs 293 or Hs 294 under wings + 1 × FX 1400 Fritz X or Hs 293 or Hs 294 under fuselage
    • 2 × 500 kg (1,100 lb) bombs internally + 2 × Hs 293 under the wings

Avionics

  • FuG 203 Kehl-Strasbourg MCLOS radio control transmitting system for Fritz X (gravity) and/or Henschel Hs 293 (rocket-boosted) ordnance.

Heinkel He 177 Image Gallery

The second He 177A-0 production prototype (A-02) with broad-bladed propellers.

More Aircraft

German WW1 Aircraft: Fokker G.I

Fokker G.I

The Fokker G.I, or “Le Faucheur” (The Reaper), was a heavy Dutch twin-engine fighter and reconnaissance aircraft developed in the late 1930s.

Read More »
Fokker D.VII - German WW1 Aircraft & Warplanes - Details

Fokker D.VII

The Fokker D.VII was one of the most advanced and effective fighter aircraft of World War I, regarded as the time’s best German fighter.

Read More »
Sopwith Triplane - British WW1 Aircraft and Warplanes

Sopwith Triplane

The Sopwith Triplane (“Tripe” or “Tripehound”) was a British single-seat fighter aircraft that played a pioneering role in World War I.

Read More »
Bloch MB.150 - WW2 French Aircraft & Warplanes

Bloch MB.150

The Bloch MB.150 was a French fighter aircraft that featured an all-metal construction, a retractable undercarriage, and an enclosed cockpit.

Read More »