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Germany's Henschel Hs 123 close support1,2,3
Henschel Hs 123 close support:
Henschel Hs 123 close support:
Henschel Hs 123 close support:
Henschel Hs 123 close support. Has the Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen badge painted on the fuselage:
Design
Fieseler and Henschel were asked to develop an interim dive-bomber until the Junkers Ju 87 was ready.1 The Henschel Hs 123 was selected over the Fieseler Fi 96.1
The Hs 123 was considered a sesquiplane as it had 1 and 1/2 wings.1
The Hs 123 was of an all metal construction.2
Engine
The engine on the Hs 123 had 18 fairings covering the engine valves.1 There were two exhaust pipes on each side of the engine.1
Undercarriage
During wet weather the spats covering the wheels were removed from the Hs 123 as they often clogged.1
Prototype
There was almost no bracing between the wing and fuselage.1 Two prototypes lost their upper wings during flight tests.1,3 As a result stronger struts were fitted.1,3
The prototype was powered by a BMW 132A-3 radial engine (650 HP) and first flew in the spring of 1935.2,3
Production
Deliveries of the Hs 123A-1 started in the summer of 1936.3
Production ended in October 1938.1,3
- Prototypes: 63
- Hs 123A-1: 6043
- Total: 6103
Variants
- Hs 123 V1: Had a smooth cowling.1 Subsequent models had 18 fairings over the engine valves.1 Used BMW 132A-3 engine (650 HP).2,3
- Hs 123 V5: Prototype with BMW 123K radial, 960 HP, engine.1 First flew in 1938.1 Was to become the Hs 123B but it was cancelled.1
- Hs 123A-1: Production version.2 Started appearing in mid-1936.2
- Hs 123B: Had more powerful engine.3 Never entered production.3
- Hs 123C: More gun armament.3 Enclosed cockpit.3 Never entered production.3
Usage
German and Spain were countries that used the Hs 123.3
It was shown that the Hs 123 could pull out of near vertical dives.1 The Hs 123 was well liked because it could deliver its payload with extremely good accuracy and take a lot of punishment.3
Some in the military wanted to put the Hs 123 back into production during 1943.1,3
Spain
Spain liked the Hs 123 so much that it bought five and then order eleven more.1
Poland
Only one Gruppe had Hs 123 during the invasion of Poland.1
Soviet Union
The Hs 123 was such a success in Poland and France that additional Gruppe were formed from retired aircraft.1
| Henschel Hs 1233 | Henschel Hs 123A-11,2,3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dive bomber3 Close support3 |
Close support1,2 Dive bomber1 |
| Crew | 13 | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | BMW 132Dc1 piston2,3 | |
| Cylinders | Radial2 Radial 91,3 |
|
| Cooling | Air1 | |
| HP | 8701, 8802,3 | |
| Propeller blades | 31,3 | |
| Fuel capacity | ||
| Dimensions | ||
| Span | 34' 5"1, 34' 5.5"2 10.5 m1,2 |
|
| Span - upper wing | 34' 5.5"3 10.5 m3 |
|
| Span - lower wing | 26' 3"3 8 m3 |
|
| Length | 27' 4"1,2,3 8.33 m1,2,3 |
|
| Height | 10' 6"1, 10' 6 3/8"2, 10' 6.5"3 3.21 m2,3, 3.22 m1 |
|
| Wing area | 267 ft2 1, 267.5 ft2 2 24.85 m2 1, 24,86 m2 2 |
|
| Weight | ||
| Empty | 3,307 lb2, 3,311 lb1, 3,316 lb3 1,500 kg2, 1,504 kg3, 1,505 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 4,877 lb1, 4,883 lb2, 4,888 lb3 2,215 kg2, 2,217 kg1,3 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 3,900' / 1,200 m |
211 mph1 341 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 3,940' / 1,200 m |
212 mph2,3 341 kph2,3 |
|
| Cruising speed | 197 mph3 317 kph3 |
|
| Climb | 2,950'/minute2, 2,953'/minute3 900 m/minute2,3 |
|
| Climb @ sea level | 2,950'/minute1 900 m/minute1 |
|
| Service ceiling | 29,500'1, 29,525'3, 29,530'2 9,000 m1,2,3 |
|
| Range | 533 miles1, 534 miles2,3 860 km1,2,3 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 2: 7.9 mm MG3 2: 7.9 mm MG 171 2: 7.92 mm MG 172 |
|
| Under wings | 2: 20 mm3 2: 20 mm MG FF1 |
|
| OR | ||
| Bombs | 992 lb2,3 4: 110 lb1 4: 50 kg1 450 kg2,3 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, General Editor: Jim Winchester, 2004
- Fighting Aircraft of World War II, Editor: Karen Leverington, 1995
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
