Dénes Bernád

Colour illustrations by Krzysztof Wołowski

Henschel Hs 129

SAMPLE Published in Poland in 2010 by STRATUS s.c. Po. Box 123, Table of contents 27-600 Sandomierz 1, Poland e-mail: [email protected] for Mushroom Model Publications, The Circuitous Birth of a Schlachtflugzeug ...... 3 3 Gloucester Close, Petersfield, Prototypes and Initial Production ...... 7 Hampshire GU32 3AX, UK. The new sub-type, called ‘Berta’ ...... 15 e-mail: [email protected] © 2010 Mushroom Model B-2, the Mainstay Sub-Version ...... 25 Publications. Various Trials ...... 37 http://www.mmpbooks.biz The Tremendous Final Sub-Version: B-3 ...... 41 All rights reserved. Apart from any Planned Developments ...... 47 fair dealing for the purpose of private The Sudden End of Henschel’s Schlachtflugzeug ...... 48 study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, In Combat with the ...... 49 Design and Patents Act, 1988, no part Directions for use the ground , based on experience ...... 52 of this publication may be repro- First Missions ...... 53 duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any Brief African Episode ...... 62 means, electronic, electrical, chemical, Back to the East ...... 69 mechanical, optical, photocopying, Hs 129 in Operation ‘Zitadelle’ ...... 76 recording or otherwise, without prior written permission. All enquiries Restructuring ...... 80 should be addressed to the publisher. The Last Twelve Months ...... 86 Nearing the End ...... 93 ISBN Detailed Specifications of the Hs 129 B-0/B-1/B-2 ...... 96 978-83-89450-46-3 Henschel Hs 129 Production List (Reconstruction) ...... 99 Details ...... 101 Editor in chief Colour Profiles ...... 129 Roger Wallsgrove Editorial Team Bartłomiej Belcarz Artur Juszczak James Kightly Robert Pęczkowski

DTP Photo credits: Artur Juszczak Dan Antoniu, Dénes Bernád, Răzvan Bujor, James Crow, Hans-Peter Colour Drawings Dabrowski, Carl-Fredrik Geust, Manfred Griehl, Dmitry Grinyuk, Christian Krzysztof Wołowski Möller, Heinz Nowarra (deceased), Martin Pegg, Peter Petrick, Willy Radinger, Scale Plans Martin Rosenkranz, Jiří Sehnal, David Williams, László Winkler (deceased) Dariusz Karnas Acknowledgements: Printed by: The author would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the Drukarnia Diecezjalna, following individuals (in alphabetical order): Mihai Andrei, Valeriu Avram, ul. Żeromskiego 4, Miroslav Bíly, Răzvan Bujor, Lutz Budraß, Sven Carlsen, Carl Charles, Ernest 27-600 Sandomierz tel. (15) 832 31 92; Chefneux (deceased), James Crow, Constantin Georgescu (deceased), Carl- fax (15) 832 77 87 Fredrik Geust, Manfred Griehl, Dmitry Grinyuk, Bjørn Hafsten, Rainer Hauf- www.wds.pl [email protected] schild, Tony Jones, Dmitry Karlenko, Cornel Marandiuc, Lazăr Munteanu PRINTED IN POLAND (deceased), Corneliu Năstase, Günther Ott, Martin Pegg, James Perry, Peter SAMPLEPetrick, György Punka, Jean-Louis Roba, Matti Salonen, Gyula Sárhidai, Gerhard Stemmer, Ion Ţarălungă (deceased), Ferenc-Antal Vajda, Titus-Liviu Vancea (deceased), László Winkler (deceased). The Circuitous Birth of a Schlachtflugzeug

Recognising early on the importance of the close-support aircraft concept – which had been confirmed by experience gained in the opening stage of the by the expeditionary Legion Condor – the Technisches Amt (Technical Bureau, LC or C-Amt) of the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM, Reich’s Air Ministry), issued a specification in April 1937, called at that time Erdkampfflugzeug (ground battle aircraft). The directive called for a small, twin-engine aircraft, armed with a combination of 20 mm cannon and heavy machine guns, which also had to be capable of delivering a bomb load. The suggested, but not mandatory, powerplant was the pre-production Argus As 410 A-0. Since it was assumed that this new type of aircraft would operate at low level over the battlefield, in areas where air supremacy had already been achieved, no rear defence armament was clearly requested. However, proper armour protection for the pilot and engines from ground fire was considered crucial. Due to its intended role as close support and ground attack, the type was anticipated from the very beginning to operate from improvised airfields, close to the front line. Therefore, ruggedness and simplicity of the airframe construction, as well as easy maintenance and serviceability, were paramount. No other requirements were formulated, the assigned companies being given a free hand to finalise the details. The tender was issued to the following aircraft manufacturers: Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H., Gothaer Waggonfabrik A.G., Hamburger Flugzeugbau G.m.b.H. and Henschel Flugzeug-Werke A.G. By 1 October 1937 – the deadline set up by the C-Amt – Gotha had not submitted any proposals (although the project was initialised under the P.20 name, a design that featured 3 MGs and 2 cannon and to be powered by two Argus As 10c engines). Focke-Wulf and Hamburger Flugzeugbau (which emerged as Abteilung Flugzeugbau der Schiffswerft Blohm & Voss during 1938) offered modified versions of their ongoing reconnaissance aircraft projects, the Fw 189 and Ha 141, respectively.

One of the three contenders for the RLM’s Schlachtflugzeug (assault aircraft) tender issued in April 1937 was the Hamburg Ha 141 (later changed to Bv 141). Due to its unconventional design, featuring an asymmetrical configuration,SAMPLE it was considered an outsider from the very beginning. Depicted is the Bv 141 V-4, W. Nr. 360, registered D-OLLE, being readied by factory crew members for a test flight.

3 Henschel Hs 129

Henschel Hs 129 A-0

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9 In Combat with the Luftwaffe

By early 1942, the Henschel Hs 129 had been thoroughly tested at various E-Stellen (Test Centres), in diverse flight circumstances and with a large variety of weapons. Therefore the RLM decided it was time to try it in the condition it was always meant for, in combat, in the actual frontline environment and against real targets. The first Luftwaffe combat unit selected to be partially equipped with the Hs 129 B was a newly established specialized unit, Schlachtgeschwader 1 (Sch.G. 1), established on 13 January 1942. However, initially it was only the IInd Gruppe that received the Henschel 129 as standard equipment. This Gruppe formed at Lippstadt and was equipped with Hs 129 B-0s and B-1s during the following few months. Hauptmann Paul-Friedrich Darjes was appointed as Gruppenkommandeur (Group Leader), while command of the three squadrons was assigned to experienced Schlachtfliegern (ground attack flyers), including the Ritterkreuzträger (Knight’s Cross Holder) Oberleutnant Bruno Meyer. The Ist Gruppe continued to operate the older Hs 123s and Bf 109Es, until more Hs 129 Bs became available. In April 1942, at Lippstadt, the two additional ‘extra’ squadrons, Nos. 4 and 8, also replaced their Bf 109Es and Hs 123s with Hs 129 Bs. All aircraft received the standard black green (RLM 70), dark green (RLM 71), over light blue (RLM 65) Luftwaffe camouflage scheme. No two-character unit code (Verbandskennzeichen) was assigned to Sch.G. 1. Each aircraft received coloured individual letters, usually painted on the fuselage, ahead of the Balkenkreuz. The markings were completed by a white outlined black triangle, placed aft of the Balkenkreuz, denoting that it belonged to a Schlachtverband (ground attack unit). A white stencilled Wehrmacht infantry assault badge was occasionally painted on the black flat nose panel in front of the windshield. Usually, the individual letter

The sheet metal covers of the Mk 103 underbelly cannon were often removed in field conditions, as seen on this photo depicting an Hs 129 B-2 on Stalino airfield.

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49 Henschel Hs 129 A derelict Hs 129, Red B, provides background for a US Army propaganda film unit, capturing the devastation on the African theatre of war.

(both total losses), five in March (four total losses), two in April (both total losses) and a final total loss in May. In April, the Axis resistance in Africa diminished and came to a de facto halt by the end of the month. Among the first Luftwaffe units ordered to withdraw to were the Schlachtflieger. On April 20, the first elements of 8./Sch.G. 2 took off towards Sicily. By early May, the withdrawal was completed, not before a final combat loss occurring. On 5 May, the Henschel piloted by Flieger Gert Borghardt was shot down in flames north of Mateur, the pilot being reported as killed in action. The transfer flight over the Mediterranean Sea claimed a victim as well. On 24 July, Hs 129 B-2, W. Nr. 0343, flown by Ltn. Hugo Diemer, crashed near Monte Moneta, killing the pilot. He was the last ‘African’ fatality of 8./Sch.G. 2. Despite the the flying personnel’s high level training and the adequate quality of the Hs 129, particularly its 30 mm cannon, the overwhelming Allied superiority, as well as the insufficient number of available aircraft and supplies, marred the efficiency of the Henschels to a point where they could not influence the course of the ground war.

African Colours

[from RAF Crash Report, Castel Benito, 26-30/1.43]: Type: Hs 129 B-2 Trop. Markings: < (white) O (blue). White nose. Last 5’ [1.52 m] of wing tips white on underside. 2’ [0.61 m] white band round rear fuselage. Spinners 1/3 blue, 2/3 white. Green blodges [sic!] on brown upper surfaces. Light blue under surfaces. Crest stencilled in aluminium paint on upper portion of nose consists of laurel wreath surmounted by eagle holding a swastika, with a within the wreath. Three five-pointed red stars on rudder, two with white stripes underneath, 1 with a red stripe – presumably indicating victories in Russia. (Author’s note: this particular aircraft is believed to be the mount of the Staffelkapitän of 4.(Pz)/SchG 2, Hptm. Bruno Meyer.) (ExcerptSAMPLE from another similar crash report): …the whole of the cockpit is lined with pale blue chrome leather. This is presumably to give some protection against heat or cold.

68 Henschel Hs 129

Soviet soldiers enjoy themselves on the wreck of Hs 129 B-2, W. Nr. 141711 (NK+DA), which force-landed reportedly in Moldavia, Rumania, in May 1944. However, Luftwaffe loss reports mention that W. Nr. 141711 of 13.(Pz.)/SG 9, with Fw. Helmut Fromm at the controls, belly landed 20 km east of Lyubashevka, in South- Western Ukraine, due to sudden poor weather and icing on 14 March 1944. The extent of damage is not specified in the report, but the pilot was injured during landing.

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83 Henschel Hs 129 The Last Twelve Months The momentary lull on the Rumanian front in the late spring of 1944 was used by the Schlachtfliegern to rest and refit. They also found time to live the by-then peaceful life in Rumania, abundant with goods that long before had vanished not only on the front zone but also in the Reich. It was then that the Hs 129-pilots could celebrate the first of their own to be awarded with the coveted Ritterkreuz (Knight’s Cross). On 9 June, Hauptmann Rudolf-Heinz Ruffer, Staffelkapitän of 10.(Pz.)/SG 9 and one of the top scoring tank-busting aces with 72 confirmed kills, received the RK at Bacău air base. Ruffer was an expert in armour hunting, often taking out of action a Soviet tank with a short burst of his 30 mm underbelly cannon, loaded with special tungsten- cored armour piercing ammunition. He could not enjoy the distinction for too long however, as the respected and much loved Ruffer fell victim to the ever efficient enemy flak on 16 July, north-east of Volkasusanska, in Poland. At the time of his death, he had about 80 on his tally. Despite the temporary relaxation enjoyed by personnel of some Schlachtstaffeln based in Rumania, on other areas of the Eastern Front war was going on at an increased pace. It was particularly so in Western Byelorussia, where the Germans were hard pressed by the Red Army. On 22 June, the Soviets initiated a large-scale offensive directed against the weak forces located on the northern flank of Army Group Centre that had dug in around

Another victim of the Soviet troops’ quick advance into Germany in the final months of the war was this rare Hs 129 B-3, W. Nr. 162052 – the last Hs 129 ever built. This particular aircraft of IV.(Pz.)/SG 9 was captured by Red Army soldiers near Schip- penbeil (today Sępopol, Poland), located south-east of Königsberg (today Kaliningrad, Russia), in December 1944. In fact, this is the only known photo of a B-3, armed with the Bk 7.5 cm can- non, in combat service. SAMPLE

86 Henschel Hs 129

British forces advancing in Tunisia captured several airworthy Hs 129 Bs, including W. Nr. 0297, formerly of 4.(Pz.)/Sch.G. 2, coded ‘Blue C’. The aircraft was repaired and repainted in RAF colours, being assigned serial number NF 756. Following its arrival in the United Kingdom, the Henschel was assigned to 1426 Flight at Col- lyweston in June 1943, where it performed a series of test flights, allowing the Allies to learn about the novel aircraft type’s performance, strengths and weaknesses.

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88 Detailed Specifications of the Hs 129 B-0/B-1/B-2

Description: Armoured ground attack aircraft, for low level and dive-bombing missions, carried out with machine guns, cannon and bombs against ground targets, and with MK 101 cannon mounted as conversion kit against armoured targets [B-1 & B-2 only]. Can also be employed as armed reconnaissance aircraft in a secondary rôle Crew: One (pilot) Construction: Twin-engine, low-wing, cantilever monoplane with all-metal airframe Wings: Two-spar, all-metal construction, with stressed skin covering. Centre section, carrying the two engine nacelles, built integrally with the fuselage. Two tapering outer sections, built separately, each weighing 122 kg (269 lb). Straight leading edge and swept forward trailing edge from root to tip. Entire trailing edge hinged, the outer sections acting as slotted ailerons, the inner sections as slotted flaps. Fuselage: Truncated triangle cross section structure with the wing root and centre sections built into the broad base. Nose section made of spot welded 6 to 12 mm thick armour plate, the remainder of light metal stressed skin construction. Total weigh of armoured for- ward fuselage section, including cockpit ‘bathtub’ 469 kg (1034 lb). The fuselage centre section of riveted light alloy structure was attached to forward fuselage section by bolts. Weight of fuselage centre section with wing inner sections and nacelles was 1063 kg (2344 lb). Rear fuselage section with the tail unit was a light metal alloy structure. Landing gear: Single-wheel retractable type. The single-leg main unit retracts hydraulically backwards into the lower engine nacelles. A part of the wheel protrudes slightly from the nacelles, when raised, to help during force landing. Non retractable, single-leg tail wheel. Powerplant: 2 x French-built Gnome & Rhône 14 M 04/05, 14-cylinder air-cooled twin-radial, with a compressor set for maximum at 4000 m height. ‘04’ denotes counter-clockwise turn- ing engine, mounted on the port nacelle, while ‘05’ clockwise turning engine, mounted on starboard nacelle. Weight of complete engine nacelle 589 kg (1299 lb). Bottom of cowling protected by 5mm armour plate. 700 hp (522 kW) output at take-off, at 1.5 ata pressure and 3,030 rpm. 770 hp (574 kW) max. output in emergency situation, at 3,400 m, at 1.5 ata pressure and 3,030 rpm. 650 hp (488 kW) output in combat situation, at 1.25 ata pressure and 2,750 rpm. 455 hp (339 kW) output while cruising, at ground level, at 1.1 ata pressure and 2350 RPM. 515 hp (384 kW) output while cruising, at 3900 m, at 1.1 ata pressure and 2350 rpm Propeller: 2 x three-blade automatic French-made Ratier 1527/1528 electrically operated constant speed metal propeller, with electrically adjustable pitch between 26-50 degrees limits. Diameter: 2.60 m [B-0], 2.55 m [B-1 & B-2]. Fuel Tanks: 2 x wing tanks with 205 litre capacity each. One fuselage tank with 200 litre capacity Oil Tanks:SAMPLE 2 x wing tanks with 35 litre capacity each Fuel Grade: Aircraft gasoline, 87 octane, B 4

96 Henschel Hs 129

1 - Long-range cut off switch 18 - Dimmer Switch for Instrument Lights on the 2 - Switch for camera Hand Lever Framework for B-1: fuel tank pump 19 - Switch Box for Airscrew Controls for B-2:{2a = wing tank pump 20 - Undercarriage Position Triple Lamp Indicator (2 = fuselage Artificial Horizon Heating Nozzle Position 21 - Chronometer Light Landing Lamp 22 - Air Speed Indicator 3 - Press Switch for Gun Camera Bay 23 - Altimeter 4 - Mixture Lever 24 - Data Card Holder 5 - Emergency Boost 25 - Pitot Head Heating Indicator 6 - Throttle Levers 26 - Cockpit Canopy Emergency Release Lever 7 - Fuel Lever 27 - Repeater Compass 8 - Fuel Shut-Off Levers (Slow Running) 28-Artificial Horizon 9 - Cockpit Heating Lever 29 - Twin Manifold Pressure Gauge 10 - Undercarriage Selector Switch 30 - SK 244 A (arming selector panel) 11 - Switch for Instrument Lamp, Motor and Cockpit 31 - Emergency Release for Bomb and External Fuel (Cockpit Light) Tank (B-2) 12 - Dimmer Switch 32 - Heating Transformer Switch for FuG 16 Z 13 - Fire Extinguisher 33 - Frequency Switch and Selector for FuG 16 Z 14 - Master cut-off for Electric 34 - Handle and Viewing Hole for Oil Pressure Hand 15 - Switch Box for Rudder Trim Adjustment Indicator Pump 16 - HandleSAMPLE for Cockpit Locking (Undercarriage Emergency Lowering) 17 - Magneto Switches 35 - Auxiliary Indicator for FuG 16 Z

104 Henschel Hs 129 A Luftwaffe Oberfeldwebel closes the collars securing the MK 103’s barrel to the Hs 129 B-2’s fuselage belly. This step ensured that the barrel would not flutter while the aircraft was flying. The dark smudge near the muzzle was powder from the gun’s blasts.

This short-barrel MK 103 was experimentally attached to the Hs 129 B. Series production cannon had a longer bar- rel, and barrel fixing collars were attached to the under- belly of the aircraft to keep it steady during firing.

MKSAMPLE 103 installation in Hs 129 B-2. Drawing from Technical manual.

118 Hs 129V3/U1, W. Nr. 3003, SKZ FT+AO. Standard camouflage 70/71/65 with distinctive redSAMPLE & white sharkmouth typical for A-0 series.

Hs 129A-0 W.Nr 3016, SKZ GM+OM, possibly 5./SG 101. Standard camouflage 70/71/65. Spinner tips red with white band.

129 140

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Hs 129 B-2 W.Nr 0288, SKZ DQ+ZX, Stab II./Sch.G 1. Standard camou- flage 70/71/65. Upper surfaces of outer wing sections painted white. Full Eastern Front markings, 1/3 of spinner tips white. Infantry assault badge on the fuselage nose. The Schlachtgeschwader triangle on the fuselage without black fill. The a/c was captured by Russians in unknown circumstances.

141 148

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Hs 129 B-2 W.Nr 141868, SKZ SR+JH, 13.(Pz)/SG 9. Standard camouflage 70/71/65, rather worn. SpinnersSAMPLE with white spirals.

Hs 129

B-2 W.Nr 141862, SKZ SR+JB, possibly 10.(Pz)/SG 9. Standard camouflage 70/71/65, very worn and weathered, yellow undersurfaces of wingtips. Previous mark- ings painted over with dark paint, rudder partially painted over with dark yellow. Spinners with white spirals. The a/c was previously coded “blue M” and flown by Hptm Hans-Günther Marufka, CO of 12.(Pz)/SG 9.