Henschel Hs 129

Dénes Bernád
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Colour illustrations by
Krzysztof Wołowski
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Henschel
Hs 129
Table of contents
The Circuitous Birth of a Schlachtflugzeug ............................................ 3
Prototypes and Initial Production .......................................................... 7
The new sub-type, called ‘Berta’ . ......................................................... 15
B-2, the Mainstay Sub-Version . ............................................................ 25
Various Trials ........................................................................................ 37
The Tremendous Final Sub-Version: B-3 .............................................. 41
Planned Developments .......................................................................... 47
The Sudden End of Henschel’s Schlachtflugzeug ................................. 48
In Combat with the Luftwaffe .............................................................. 49
Directions for use the ground attack aircraft, based on experience ..... 52
First Missions ...................................................................................... 53
Brief African Episode .......................................................................... 62
Back to the East .................................................................................. 69
Hs 129 in Operation ‘Zitadelle’ .......................................................... 76
Restructuring ...................................................................................... 80
The Last Twelve Months . ................................................................... 86
Nearing the End ..................................................................................... 93
Detailed Specifications of the Hs 129 B-0/B-1/B-2 . ............................. 96
Henschel Hs 129 Production List (Reconstruction) . ........................... 99
Details .................................................................................................. 101
Colour Profiles . ................................................................................... 129
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Published in Poland in 2010
by STRATUS s.c.
Po. Box 123,
27-600 Sandomierz 1, Poland
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for
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ISBN
978-83-89450-46-3
Editor in chief
Roger Wallsgrove
Editorial Team
Bartłomiej Belcarz
Artur Juszczak
James Kightly
Robert Pęczkowski
Photo credits:
Dan Antoniu, Dénes Bernád, Răzvan Bujor, James Crow, Hans-Peter
Dabrowski, Carl-Fredrik Geust, Manfred Griehl, Dmitry Grinyuk, Christian
Möller, Heinz Nowarra (deceased), Martin Pegg, Peter Petrick, Willy Radinger,
Martin Rosenkranz, Jiří Sehnal, David Williams, László Winkler (deceased)
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DTP
Artur Juszczak
Colour Drawings
Krzysztof Wołowski
Scale Plans
Dariusz Karnas
Printed by:
Drukarnia Diecezjalna,
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tel. (15) 832  31  92;
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PRINTED IN POLAND
Acknowledgements:
The author would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of the
following individuals (in alphabetical order): Mihai Andrei, Valeriu Avram,
Miroslav Bíly, Răzvan Bujor, Lutz Budraß, Sven Carlsen, Carl Charles, Ernest
Chefneux (deceased), James Crow, Constantin Georgescu (deceased), CarlFredrik Geust, Manfred Griehl, Dmitry Grinyuk, Bjørn Hafsten, Rainer Haufschild, Tony Jones, Dmitry Karlenko, Cornel Marandiuc, Lazăr Munteanu
(deceased), Corneliu Năstase, Günther Ott, Martin Pegg, James Perry, Peter
Petrick, 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
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Recognising early on the importance of the close-support aircraft concept – which had been confirmed
by experience gained in the opening stage of the Spanish Civil War 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, 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.
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Henschel Hs 129
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Henschel Hs 129 A-0
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In Combat with the Luftwaffe
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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
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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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Henschel Hs 129
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A derelict Hs 129, Red B, provides background
for a US Army propaganda film unit, capturing
the devastation on the African theatre of war.
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(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 Italy
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 tank 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.)
(Excerpt 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.
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Henschel Hs 129
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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 SouthWestern 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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Henschel Hs 129
The Last Twelve Months
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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 tungstencored 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 tanks 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
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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 Schippenbeil (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 cannon, in combat service.
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Henschel Hs 129
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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 Collyweston 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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Detailed Specifications
of the Hs 129 B-0/B-1/B-2
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
One (pilot)
Twin-engine, low-wing, cantilever monoplane with all-metal airframe
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.
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 forward 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.
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.
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 turning 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
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].
2 x wing tanks with 205 litre capacity each. One fuselage tank with 200 litre capacity
2 x wing tanks with 35 litre capacity each
Aircraft gasoline, 87 octane, B 4
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Description: Crew:
Construction: Wings: Fuselage: Landing gear: S
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Powerplant:
Propeller:
Fuel Tanks:
Oil Tanks:
Fuel Grade:
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Henschel Hs 129
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1 - Long-range cut off switch
2 - Switch for camera
for B-1: fuel tank pump
for B-2:{2a = wing tank pump
(2 = fuselage Artificial Horizon Heating Nozzle Position
Light Landing Lamp
3 - Press Switch for Gun Camera Bay
4 - Mixture Lever
5 - Emergency Boost
6 - Throttle Levers
7 - Fuel Lever
8 - Fuel Shut-Off Levers (Slow Running)
9 - Cockpit Heating Lever
10 - Undercarriage Selector Switch
11 - Switch for Instrument Lamp, Motor and Cockpit
(Cockpit Light)
12 - Dimmer Switch
13 - Fire Extinguisher
14 - Master cut-off for Electric
15 - Switch Box for Rudder Trim Adjustment Indicator
16 - Handle for Cockpit Locking
17 - Magneto Switches
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18 - Dimmer Switch for Instrument Lights on the
Hand Lever Framework
19 - Switch Box for Airscrew Controls
20 - Undercarriage Position Triple Lamp Indicator
21 - Chronometer
22 - Air Speed Indicator
23 - Altimeter
24 - Data Card Holder
25 - Pitot Head Heating Indicator
26 - Cockpit Canopy Emergency Release Lever
27 - Repeater Compass
28-Artificial Horizon
29 - Twin Manifold Pressure Gauge
30 - SK 244 A (arming selector panel)
31 - Emergency Release for Bomb and External Fuel
Tank (B-2)
32 - Heating Transformer Switch for FuG 16 Z
33 - Frequency Switch and Selector for FuG 16 Z
34 - Handle and Viewing Hole for Oil Pressure Hand
Pump
(Undercarriage Emergency Lowering)
35 - Auxiliary Indicator for FuG 16 Z
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.
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This short-barrel MK 103 was experimentally attached to
the Hs 129 B. Series production cannon had a longer barrel, and barrel fixing collars were attached to the underbelly of the aircraft to keep it steady during firing.
MK 103 installation in Hs 129 B-2. Drawing from Technical
manual.
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Hs 129A-0 W.Nr 3016, SKZ GM+OM, possibly 5./SG 101. Standard
camouflage 70/71/65. Spinner tips red with white band.
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Hs 129V3/U1, W. Nr. 3003, SKZ FT+AO. Standard camouflage 70/71/65 with
distinctive red & white sharkmouth typical for A-0 series.
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Hs 129 B-2 W.Nr 0288, SKZ DQ+ZX, Stab II./Sch.G 1. Standard camouflage 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.
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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 markings 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.
Hs 129 B-2 W.Nr 141868, SKZ SR+JH, 13.(Pz)/SG 9. Standard camouflage 70/71/65,
rather worn. Spinners with white spirals.
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