The Heinkel He 59 was a twin-engined German biplane designed in 1930, resulting from a requirement for a torpedo bomber and reconnaissance aircraft able to operate on wheeled landing gear or twin-floats.

The Heinkel He 59 was a pleasant aircraft to fly; deficiencies noted were weak engines, limited range, small load capability, and insufficient armament.

Some had been operated by the Condor Legion in Spain during the Spanish Civil War in 1936 as coastal reconnaissance and torpedo floatplanes.

The British claimed that because the air-sea rescue aircraft were being used for reconnaissance, they were legitimate targets despite carrying Red Cross markings.

[4] Most of the 140 B-2s and B-3s built by Arado were later converted by the Walter Bachmann Flugzeugbau for air/sea rescue (He 59C-2 and D-1) or specialised training in navigation (He 59C-1, D-1 and N), torpedoe dropping (E-1) and photographic roles (E-2).