69 Henschel Hs129

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Publisher: Profile Publications England
Cover: Soft
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Synopsis: The Henschel Hs129 stands as Germany's dedicated ground-attack aircraft, specifically designed as a "tank-buster" to support Wehrmacht armored operations on the Eastern Front. This comprehensive profile examines the development of this unique twin-engine, single-seat aircraft that emerged from the Luftwaffe's 1937 requirement for a close-support fighter capable of destroying enemy armor with cannon fire. Designed by Friedrich Nicolaus at Henschel Flugzeugwerke, the Hs129 featured an exceptionally robust construction with extensive armor protection around the cockpit and engine nacelles, making it one of the most heavily armored aircraft of World War II. The book details the aircraft's evolution from the underpowered prototype using Argus As 410 engines to the production Hs129B series powered by captured French Gnome-Rhône 14M radial engines, each producing 700 horsepower. Technical analysis reveals the aircraft's distinctive characteristics: a maximum speed of 253 mph at 12,300 feet, heavily armored cockpit with 75mm frontal protection, and impressive firepower including two 20mm MG 151 cannons and two 13mm MG 131 machine guns in the nose. The profile extensively covers the aircraft's operational deployment, beginning with the Hs129A's limited service in 1940 and the more successful Hs129B's introduction in 1942. Combat operations focused primarily on the Eastern Front, where the aircraft served with specialized ground-attack units (Schlachtgeschwader) targeting Soviet armor concentrations during major offensive operations. The book examines specific variants including the Hs129B-2/R2 equipped with a massive 30mm MK 101 cannon, and the Hs129B-3/Wa mounting a 75mm BK 7.5 anti-tank gun derived from the Pak 40. Combat accounts detail engagements during the Battle of Kursk, where Hs129s achieved notable success against Soviet tank formations, and subsequent defensive operations as German forces retreated. The profile analyzes the aircraft's strengths in armor penetration and pilot protection, while acknowledging limitations including poor visibility from the narrow cockpit, maintenance challenges with French engines, and vulnerability to fighter attack despite heavy armor. Production details reveal that only 865 Hs129s were manufactured due to engine supply constraints and competing priorities for French powerplants. The book includes detailed technical drawings, cutaway illustrations, and camouflage schemes from various Schlachtgeschwader units, providing essential reference material for understanding this specialized anti-armor aircraft's role in German close-support operations during World War II.

69 Henschel Hs129, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.