Besides the myriad combat aircraft used by the German Empire, a variety of auxiliary and non-combat types are employed. These range from simple utility and liaison aircraft, to patrol, transport and reconnaissance planes. These aircraft, while not as flashy as their combat counterparts, play a vital part in the German war effort.

A Survey of Types, Operational Capabilities and Doctrine

Utility Aircraft

Vitally important in the relatively innocuous roles of liaison, air ambulance and VIP transport, utility aircraft are well-distributed in the Heer as well as the Luftstreitkräfte.

Fiesler Fi 156

One of the best STOL aircraft in the world, the Fi 156 is famous around the world for its unique wing and very low stall speed. Used by the Heer in a variety of capacities, the Fi 156 is unarmed but its small size and very low speed is its primary defense. Around 350 are in service, primarily with the Heer.

Messerschmitt Bf 108

The Bf 108 is a nominally civilian single-engine touring craft, the four-seater is also used in numbers by both the Luftstreitkräfte and Heer as a liaison and personnel transport plane. Fast compared to other liaison aircraft like the Fi 156, the Bf 108 is well-liked by its pilots. About 200 are in service with both the Heer and Luftstreitkräfte.

Reconnaissance Aircraft

Performing the vital role of reconnoittering enemy positions, as well as a broader strategic one of ascertaining enemy industrial capacity, Reconnaissance aircraft are a relatively unappreciated but vital part of the Luftstreitkräfte.

Heinkel He 46

A tactical reconnaissance and army cooperation plane in service since 1933, the He 46 is in wide service at the start of the war despite being practically obsolete. A relatively simple, conventional sesquiplane (though with a slightly swept back wing), the He 46 is only armed with a single machine gun for defense, though it can carry light anti-personnel bombs. While it still gives good service, there are planes to withdraw it soon and incorporate the aircraft into training units. The Luftstreitkräfte has 400 of the type in service, with some being used by training units.

Blohm & Voss BV 141

A unique asymmetric design, the BV 141 fulfills the need for a new tactical reconnaissance plane issued by the Luftstreitkräfte. With the engine and tail assembly off to one side of the plane, and the glazed cabin and gunner on the other side, the BV 141 has a very unusual appearance, but performs well and exceeded all of the requirements laid forth by the Luftstreitkräfte for the new aircraft. Only prototypes are in service now, but full series production is slotted to begin in late 1940.

Heinkel He 119

Acknowledging the weakness in German strategic reconnaissance planes, the high-speed, unarmed He 119 is designed for long-distance high-speed dashes over enemy territory, where its speed will allow it to outrun enemy fighters without being intercepted. Its unique coupled-power system, where two engines are linked together to form a powerful single unit, is highly experimental and has provided some difficulties in its early stages. However, further development seems likely to iron out the issues encountered with it. It is still in the prototype stage at the start of the war, but is planned to enter service in 1940.

Shipboard Reconnaissance Aircraft

Heinkel He 60

The standard shipboard reconnaissance plane of the 1930s, the He 60 is in wide service with the Kaiserliche Marine aboard most ships. A catapult-launched biplane, the He 60 is of mediocre air performance, but remains in service primarily due to its good handling on the water. Around 360 He 60s are in service across the Empire, with some being used by the Luftstreitkräfte for coastal patrol work.

Arado Ar 196

An improved shipboard reconnaissance plane, the Ar 196 is a monoplane, improved in almost all respects compared to the He 60. However, pressing need for replacement of the He 60 is not seen, and so the Ar 196 is only entering service slowly aboard newly-built ships and those being retrofitted in Wilhelmshaven. Around 40 are in service, with a handful being used by the Luftstreitkräfte for coastal service.

Patrol Aircraft

For patrolling the huge swathes of water that come under German control, the Luftstreitkräfte and its associated air forces in German East Asia and Mittelafrika use a variety of long-range patrol aircraft. With secondary roles as long-range reconnaissance, air-sea rescue and even maritime bombers, Patrol aircraft are useful in a variety of locations and roles.

Dornier Do 18

Originally developed as a dual purpose civilian-military aircraft, like many German bombers of the period, the Do 18 is a relatively standard dual-engined flying boat meant for maritime patrol. Used in large numbers in German East Asia, Mittelafrika and, to a lesser extent, in the Baltic, the Do 18 is rather lightly armed and rather unsuitable for use as a military aircraft. About 150 are in service across the Empire.

Dornier Do 24

A larger and more capable follow-on to the Do 18, the Do 24 is a versatile design combining a long range and a respectable armament. Designed to fulfill the air-sea rescue and bomber roles in addition to being a patrol aircraft, the Do 24 was originally designed with German East Asia in mind. With the fall of that territory, the Do 24 is restricted to use in Mittelafrika and the Baltic Sea - the latter being where the majority of the type are stationed, since they had yet to be sent to German East Asia at the start of the war. 96 are currently in service.

Blohm & Voss BV 138

The "Flying Clog", as this type is nicknamed, is just beginning to come into service in 1939. A trimotor design, the BV 138 is designed with the conditions of the North Sea in mind. While having less outright range than the Do 24, the BV 138 nevertheless exhibits excellent seakeeping characteristics, making it uniquely suited for air-sea rescue. It also retains a powerful defensive armament and ablity to drop bombs and depth charges. 12 are in service at the start of the war, with plans for BV 138 production to replace Do 24 production rapidly.

Focke-Wulf Fw 200

Originally a civilian airliner, from the start the Fw 200, with its unique long-range capabilities, was marked for conversion to a maritime patrol aircraft in the event of war. Like the Ju 86 and He 111 airliners, the Fw 200 is planned to be equipped with defensive armament and bomb racks. Unlike other German patrol aircraft, the Fw 200 is primarily meant to operate in a patrol bomber role, attacking enemy shipping as an 'airborne raider'. Despite this plan, the conversion to a warplane may only have limited success. 24 civilian airliners are in Germany proper at the start of the war (with several more in Mittelafrika), while production of the type is planned to switch to war service.

Transport Aircraft

With Germany's large civil aviation market, transport planes naturally found their way into service with the Luftstreitkräfte. Seen as important tools for supplying the army in a variety of unusual conditions - learning from the mistakes of the First Weltkrieg and failures to do so then - German transport aircraft are some of the most advanced in the world, though the staple of the transport fleet is the relatively simple Junkers Ju 52.

Junkers Ju 52

The staple trimotor of the Luftstreitkräfte transport fleet, the Ju 52 is already in service in mass quantities with the Luftstreitkräfte at the start of the war. Also used by a variety of civil airlines in Germany and abroad, the Ju 52 is a very rugged and reliable aircraft. Capable of being converted into a medium bomber if needs be, the Ju 52 also sees service as a glider tug, VIP transport, and a few are even equipped with floats for service in maritime environments. About 500 are in service with the Luftstreitkräfte at the start of the war, not including the several dozen in civilian service that are likely to be seized by the air force if the need arises.

Junkers Ju 90

A development of the four-engined Junkers Ju 89 bomber for transport and airliner use, the Ju 90 is larger and more capacious than the smaller Ju 52. It is also relatively modern and complicated, meaning that it is not in as wide service as the bulletproof Ju 52. Nevertheless, the Ju 90 is seen as an important heavy transport plane. 24 are in service at the start of the war, with it being likely that the six civilian airliner versions will be taken into military service.

Trainer Aircraft

A variety of trainer aircraft, including basic, advanced, and crew trainers are in service with the Luftstreitkräfte. Individual numbers will not be detailed here, but types include the Heinkel He 72, Bücker Bü 131, Focke Wulf Fw 56, Arado Ar 96 and Focke Wulf Fw 58.