The Heinkel He 111 was initially conceived as a luxury passenger aircraft for Lufthansa. This version, designated He 111p, was designed to offer speed, comfort, and range, catering to the growing demands of air travel in the late 1920s.

Its sleek design, spacious interior, and powerful engines were state-of-the-art for the time. Lufthansa saw the He 111 as a flagship aircraft that would elevate its image and attract passengers.

However, the civilian career of the He 111 was relatively short-lived. As the political climate in Germany shifted in the early 1930s, the focus of the aviation industry turned towards military aircraft. The He 111's robust airframe and large capacity made it an ideal candidate for conversion into a bomber.

While a few He 111p variants continued to be used for promotional and demonstration purposes, the majority of production was diverted to the military. Thus, the He 111's legacy is primarily associated with its role as a bomber in World War II.

12 of them were ordered by the Lufthansa, but only six of them got into service in 1936.