THE
BATTLE OF BRITAIN
HE-111s
The fifty HE-111 bombers used in the movie were actually Merlin-engined
CASA 2-111s that had been license-built in Spain. They were on loan from the
Spanish Air Force for the movie, complete with the use of their crews. They were
painted in vintage Luftwaffe colors and markings for the movie, and then
returned to their original livery when the filming ended and they were returned
to Spain. It was very fortunate that Spain was still using these WWII-vintage
bombers in their air force in 1968, as it would be impossible to find a large
collection of German bombers in later years. Today none of these
are flying, and all but one or two have been scrapped.
Cinema publicity still showing the impressive line-up of Heinkels during the
film's opening sequence.
(Photo via Francois Prins,
text from Robert J. Rudhall's "Battle of Britain Film - The Photo Album")
One of the two Spanish Heinkels, which came across to the UK, taxies out past a
line-up of Messerschmitts, at Duxford.
(Photo from Peter Sargent,
text from Robert J. Rudhall's "Battle of Britain Film - The Photo Album")
Despite the fact that they were fitted with Merlin
engines, the Spanish Air Force's 'Heinkel 111' fleet was manna from heaven to
the film-makers in 1968.
(Photo from the Brian
Williams collection, text from Robert J. Rudhall's "Battle of Britain Film - The
Photo Album")
Nice overhead view of a Heinkel in flight.
(photo: FlyPast magazine
October 2007)
The famous low overhead pass of a Heinkel over the
movie's base of operations.
Note the feathered prop on the shut down starboard engine!
(photo: FlyPast magazine
October 2007)
Heinkel G-AWHB sits on the tarmac at Duxford while the skies clear up.
(photo: FlyPast magazine
September 1989)
Two of the Heinkels sit at Duxford airfield while awaiting more filming.
(photo by Peter Sargent via
Tony Overill, appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)
A Heinkel in the middle of taking off.
(photo by Peter Sargent via
Tony Overill, appearing in FlyPast magazine October 2007)
.jpg)
Hurricane XII G-AWLW, brought in from Canada, on finals for Duxford.
(photo by Tony Clarke via
Aircraft Magazine)
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