It was a great moment, Saturday 2. June 2012, when one Heinkel He 115 b / c was lifted out of Hafrsfjord. A large amount of onlookers were collected in the old German seaplane harbor, the weather was great, and it reminded all of a folk festival. Then finally, the first propeller blade stuck up through inlet surface.

The airplane is lifted out of the bay is characterized 8L + FH and werkenummer 2398. It belonged to 1 Staffel / Küstenfliegergruppe 906. This is the first step in a long process. Many volunteers and local businesses had provided major contributions and funds. The effort was a success, as it had very rarely flown, and was in an unexpectedly good condition, when retrieved from the bay.

Efforts to salvage the plane is an extensive project run by members of the Friendship Association Aviation Museum Sola. That raising feasible due to much a comprehensive support from a number of Firms in North Jæren. These support the project with money or goods and services, without charge or at greatly reduced rates. without this generous support it would not be possible to implement the project. In addition allows divers performing raising ,and contributes with its extensive network, one very impressive job.

Venneforeningen after raising a presentation of what is done. You can read this by opening the link; Raising and further work with He 115

The aircraft is a unique in the sense that it is not known that there are other preserved specimens of this type of aircraft in the world. The exception could be a possible wrecks, rumors says, can be privately owned in France a place. For Norwegian aviation history, this aircraft also of great importance, when it in 1939 was acquired 6 He 115 to the Norwegian Armed Forces. There is a large aircraft, and Conservation and reconstruction is a large and comprehensive project. defense museum, which owns all abandoned German munitions in Norway, hair entrusted the responsibility for the aircraft to the Aviation History Museum Sola.

Heinkel 115 The project

This is a project which is organized under the Aviation History Museum Sola, and whose mission is to stand for the further working with plane.

The project's steering committee

In order to ensure a professional and comprehensive management of the project, the museum has established a steering committee with members from Foundation Aviation Museum Sola, Jærmuseet and Venneforeningen Aviation Museum Sola. The group takes care of planning and all significant decisions related to the work of Heinkel.

By double-clicking on the pictures you can see a big version of these.

The way forward

After complete reconstruction of the plane, there will probably be a need for a fixed maintenance program to secure against further decay.
The plan is for the museum to show forward a whole plane. That is, we want to put it on floats and put on plates and other parts missing if we find this necessary. At the same time, it is desirable to preserve as much of the original in terms of structure, surface treatment and other. It has not been decided to what extent it is necessary to take all parts apart. All sections of the aircraft will be carefully examined and individually assessed. Based on a state assessment one will Decide what to do. The project group has contact with external parties expertise that will assist in this work, both in the university environment in Norway and aviation museums in Europe.
Although the aircraft is in good condition relative to other planes taken from the sea, it will be a comprehensive work to able to maintain the aircraft in the desired condition

Project plan and project phases

Phase 1

Planning, raising and storing plane in freshwater tank. To store the aircraft in a freshwater tank was important for several reasons. It prevented the aircraft paint and other vulnerable details dried out and screws stuck, and salts crystallize, with fatal consequences would get. A hope and getting washed out much of the salts. This intermediate storage has also given us time to prepare for the project's second phase. One sees now that freshwater tank has filled the function it was intended, but that it is clearly that the plane should not be there longer than absolutely necessary.

Phase 2

Cleaning and protective treatment of the aircraft five main- sections. All aircraft's five main- sections taken out of the fresh water tank, thoroughly cleaned and conserved. It is important that cleaning and conservation are implemented as soon as possible. This is to limit the maturity thus ensuring jewel such optimum safeguarding as possible.

Phase 3

Reconstruction / mounting. The scope of this work depends on how extensive disassembly we must implement to preserve and secure the aircraft of the future. This assessment is done in parallel with work in the project's second phase.  If it becomes necessary with a larger dismantling and reconstruction of the aircraft, is this outside the museum's own capacity. That is why, among others. established contact with the International Aviation and Army History Museum Fondation in Hereg, Hungary. This is a workshop, as with good results have been used by both the Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø and Deutsches Technik Museum in Berlin.

The status of the aircraft's state

In Hafrsfjord plane has been immersed in seawater with high salt content, but probably with a low oxygen content. The plane has had a remaining engine with a gearbox which may have been cast in magnesium. the low the oxygen content in seawater, along with a cathodic protection from magnesium in girboksen, may have helped to protect aircraft. In addition, primary structure parts that have a very good corrosion protection surface treatment. The more secondary structural members have not received the same corrosion protection. It is here that one finds the greatest corrosion damage.

The landing and stay at the bottom has caused the primary structural members less mechanical damage. There are essentially parts of tail and left wing that has structural damage.

What has been done since the raising

In an effort to preserve the aircraft's condition built Venneforeningen before raising a large betongkar. Here the plane lying immersed in freshwater, bl.a. to get to thin out the salt concentration.  The plane was in the days after the salvage dismantled down to its five main- sections.

Hale section

autumn 2013 was the 10 meter abdomen taken out of fresh water tank. Jærmuseet Asked at your disposal a conservator, who stood for a thorough cleaning of the parts. It was used Lanolin to preserve parts. Abdomen is now part of the museum's exhibition.

Nose and cockpit

24.april 2014 were nose and cockpit section removed fresh water tank. Remaining equipment is dismantled. These are mainly stored in smaller water tanks in anticipation of a more thorough cleaning and preservation. It is Another aim is to take care of most of the equipment, and interior paint and labeling.

We will try out new methods and techniques for use by such work. The goal is to find ways to make it work on that can continued on other parts of the plane. Inside the cockpit section we have with successfully used blasting with dry ice as a method for cleaning.

Motor

The remaining BMW 132 K engine was immediately after salvage cleaned and dismantled. This is now conserved, and will be rebuilt as far as we're able to obtain parts for this work.

The center section and wings

In October 2014 was the water in the concrete tank drained for the last time. We are currently working to clarify the center section, wings and rudders and a lot of other major components, to be stored dry. The work is performed in the concrete vessel previously used to store aircraft submerged in water. This is now converted into a workshop and warehouse for Heinkel.

other parts

 In connection with the dismantling of the aircraft June 2012 it was necessary to take a number of smaller components. These are stored in less fresh water tank. Some of the parts are given protective treatment and Prepared for separate exhibitions. By reconstruction must be replaced in plane.

If you want to read a continuous and complementary information about, and pictures from, working with plane, you can press tab "Work with 8L + FH"

Methods and techniques

We want to document the methods and techniques we use in work. It will be made short presentations of way work on individual parts or sections are performed on. You can search for this material by to the right side choose the category Methods and techniques.

Economy

The museum will be dependent on the new support for putting the aircraft capable so that it can emerge as an exhibition object it's second to none anywhere in the world, link to the presentation brochure; Presentation of the Heinkel He 115 project.
The museum has previously completed a number of major restoration projects with people. The resources, however, is severely limited, and most work is done by volunteers.
Whatever is to be done will be the talk of major financial and personnel challenges to reach the finish with the desired result. A reconstruction will be resource intensive, whether a job being performed internally or external assistance.