Version 1.4 Hs-123s from the Legion Condor, Nationalist and Luftwaffe Air Forces 1937-1939

*BACKGROUND

The concept of dive-bombing was pursued by German planners from soon after the end of World War One, and they had explored several avenues by the time the Reichluftfahrtministerium (the secret precursor to the Luftwaffe) was established in 1933. With personal prompting from Ernest Udet, and the backing of Gering, a design specification was eventually issued in that year for a single-seat, biplane dive bomber. This aircraft was to be developed quickly to equip the already planned Stukagruppen (dive bomber groups), pending the deployment of a more technologically advanced dive bomber - later realised in the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka. Fieseler Flugzeugbau submitted the Fi 98 design and Henschel Flugzeugwerke the Hs 123. After the first comparative flights in early 1935, the Hs 123 proved far superior to the Fi 98 in performance, due mostly to its relative lack of drag-producing wing bracing struts and wires. The Hs 123 V1 prototype was flown in a public display by Ernest Udet personally, only three days after the existence of the Luftwaffe was officially announced to the world.

Type: Single Seat Dive Bomber & Close Support


Design: Henschel Flugzeugwerke AG Design Team 


Manufacturer: Henschel Flugzeugwerke AG at the Schnefeld and Johannisthal factories in Berlin 


Powerplant: One 880 hp (656 kW) BMW 132Dc 9-cylinder radial piston engine rated at take-off and 870 hp (649 kW) at 8,200 ft (2500 m).


Performance: Maximum speed 211 mph (340 km/h) at 3,935 ft (1200 m) and 207 mph (333 km/h) at sea level; cruising speed 196 mph (315 km/h) at 6560 ft (2000 m); ceiling 29,525 ft (9000 m); initial climb rate 2,950 ft (900 m) per minute.


Range: Range 531 miles (855 km) on internal fuel but this could be extended with the use of single auxiliary fuel tank.


Weight: Empty equipped 3,318 lbs (1505 kg) with a normal take-off weight of 4,888 lbs (2217 kg).


Dimensions: Span, upper 34 ft 51/2 in (10.50 m) and lower 26 ft 3 in (8.00 m); length 27 ft 4 in (8.33 m); height 10 ft 6 in (3.20 m); wing area 267.49 sq ft (24.85 sq m).


Armament: Two fixed forward firing 7.92 mm (0.31 in) MG 17 machine guns in the upper fuselage decking, plus underwing racks for four 110 lbs (50 kg) bombs, two containers with 92 4.4 lbs (2 kg) anti-personnel bombs or two 20 mm MG ff cannon pods. In practise, the centerline bomb position usually carried an external fuel tank but could carry a single 551 lbs (250 kg) bomb instead.


Variants: Hs 123 V1 (prototype), Hs 123 V2 (prototype), Hs 123 V3 (prototype), Hs 123 V4 (prototype), Hs 123A/A-1, Hs 123B (V5 prototype), Hs 123C (V6 prototype).


Avionics: None.


History: First flight, spring 1935 (public display given 8 May), first delivery (Spain) December 1936, final delivery October 1938.


Operators: Germany (Luftwaffe), Spain (five used by nationist forces).


*VARIANTS

The Hs 123 V1, V2, and V3 prototypes were single-seat biplanes with the lower wing smaller than the upper (sesqiplane) and a single BMW 132A-3 nine cylinder air-cooled radial engine with 485 kW (650 hp) take-off power. Construction was all metal, except for the upper wing surfaces aft of the forward spar and the control surfaces, which were fabric covered. The pilot's cockpit was open. The upper wing was supported by only two steeply canted, aerofoil-shaped struts outboard, and two smaller N-braces at the fuselage. Armament was first fitted to the V3 aircraft and comprised two 7.9 mm MG 17 machine guns mounted on the forward upper fuselage deck and firing through the top of the engine cowl.

The upper wings of both the V2 and V3 aircraft failed at their centres during diving trials, but that section was easily strengthened and the strut arrangement remained satisfactory during the long operational career of the Hs 123. The V4 aircraft incorporated the centre upper-wing strengthening and a number of small modifications required to simplify series production. It confirmed the type's dive-bombing capabilities, and immediate production was ordered at the end of 1935.

Production Hs 123A-1 aircraft were first delivered to the Luftwaffe in mid-1936, equipping StG I./162 Immelmann. The A-1 model was fitted with a more-powerful engine than the prototypes, a BMW 132Dc with 656 kW (880 hp) take-off power. The two 7.9 mm MG 17s were retained, and provision made for a 250 kg (551 lb) bomb in a cradle under the fuselage, and two SC50 50 kg (110 lb) bombs under each lower wing. In-service, the fuselage cradle was usually used for an auxillary fuel tank because the basic effective combat radius of the Hs 123A-1 was only about 115 km (70 ml). During World War Two the under-wing bomb racks were alternatively used to carry a single canister of 92 two kg (4.4 lb) anti-personnel bomblets, or a 20 mm FF canon on each side.

Because the Hs 123 was originally only intended as a stop-gap aircraft pending availability of the Ju 87 Stuka, only two further developments beyond the A-1 model were proposed, an unusual event in the German aircraft industry at the time.

The Hs 123 V5 was a prototype for the proposed B-series, and had a more powerful BMW 132K engine with 716 kW (960 hp) available at take-off, a three-bladed variable pitch propeller, and an aerodynamically refined engine cowl. Only one prototype was built.

A C-series was also investigated with the Hs 123 V6, which, designed specifically for close support rather than just dive bombing, was fitted with two further 7.9 mm MG 17s (one in each lower wing), and an enclosed cockpit and armoured headrest for the pilot. Although the C-model was not ordered before the type was phased out of production, the dorsal fairing and armoured headrest of the V6 were retrofitted to all A-1 model aircraft in Luftwaffe service giving them their characteristic 'hump-back' appearance.


*THE HS-123 IN SPAIN

Six Hs 123A-1s were sent to Spain where the Condor Legion pioneered close ground support operations (Schlachtfliegen) with great success. The Spanish Nationalists were so impressed that they requested more of the type. The six Condor Legion aircraft were later bolstered by 11 supplied directly to the Nationalists, and continued in Spanish service long after the end of the civil war. The two Stukagruppen (StG I./165 and II./165) which had initially been equipped with Hs 123A-1s were finally issued Ju 87 Stukas, as planned, in mid-1937. However, the successful Spanish experience had prompted the formation of five Schlachtfliegengruppen (SFG) and two of these, SFG 10 and SFG 50, were equipped with the available Hs 123A-1s. Because the Ju 87 Stuka proved to have very accurate dive-bombing capability, plans were made to equip all SFG with them and the HS 123 was phased out of production by late 1938. (This was in spite of the great flexibility of the HS 123 over and above its dive bombing capability). The Hs 123A-1s were relegated to training roles. Infatuation with the Ju 87 Stuka continued with the phasing out of the SFGs in favour of dedicated StGs, and only one combat unit, SFG 10, retained its Hs 123A-1s when it was incorporated into Lehrgeschwader 10 as II(schlacht)./LG 10, a training unit.


*THE HS-123 DURING WWII

Close Support Role


As described above, back in Germany the Ju 87 Stuka had started to replace the Hs 123 with the Stukagruppen in 1937, and the Hs 123 was diverted to the close support units, equipping two of the five to form. Debate was raging in the Luftwaffe over the respective merits of the dedicated dive bomber and the close support aircraft. The dive-bomber protagonists won, and the Ju 87 Stuka was also given a close support role, signalling the end of production for the Henschel Hs 123. Two variants built in prototype form were the Hs 123B (V5 prototype) with a BMW 132K engine under a long chord cowling, and the Hs 123C (V6 prototype) which had additional machine-guns under the wings and an armoured headrest with a sliding hood. The latter feature was adopted by service Hs 123As.

In late 1938, after the Sudeten crisis had passed, the close support units were officially disbanded. Nevertheless, one (Schlachtfliegergruppe 10) survived the axe and was incorporated into Lehrgeschwader 2 as II (Schlacht)/LG 2. In September 1939 it was the only front-line Hs 123 unit, all other aircraft having been passed to training units. II (Schlacht)/LG 2 was in the lead air assault against Poland on 1 September 1939 that opened World War II. Armed with 110 lbs (50 kg) bombs on the wing racks and the 7.92 mm (0.31 in) MG 17 machine-guns, the Hs 123s flew just feet above the heads of the Polish cavalry brigades for 10 days. More effective than the armament was the terrifying noise of the BMW radial, which was every bit as effective at dispersing mounted columns as explosives. So effective was the Hs 123 in the lightning Polish campaign that plans to re-equip II (Schlacht)/LG 2 were immediately reversed. The Gruppe commenced the attack on the West in May 1940 with 50 Hs 123A-1s on strength (of which 45 were operational. Their next target was Belgium, supporting the 6th Army as it smashed through from 10 May 1940. The first action was to ward off Belgian sappers attempting to destroy brdige crossings over the Albert Canal. Sweeping through Luxembourg and the Ardennes, Hs 123s were soon in France, and by 21 May were the most forward based Lufwtaffe unit when they reached Cambrai. Later they played an important part in breaking Allied defense lines at the Meuse and Sedan. With victory in France achieved, II (Schlacht)/LG 2 was withdrawn to Germany for re-equipment with the Bf 109E, but the Hs 123 had by now built a legendary reputation for its ability to absorb battle damage, and the Gruppe only partially equipped with the Messerschmitt fighter.

By the start of the Balkans campiagn in April 1941, II(schlacht)./LG 2 was partially re-equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109E Jabo fighters, and by early 1942 with Henschel Hs 129s for operation in the Soviet Union. However, the Hs 123A-1s were retained as they remained extremely effective, and were liked by their pilots for being robust and able to absorb heavy damage. They were also able to continue operating from muddy fields with their wheel spats removed, even when the Bf 109Es and Hs 129s were grounded. During 1943 it was seriously proposed that Hs 123 production be re-started, but this proved impractical as the production jigs and tooling had been destroyed in 1940. Mid-1944 finally saw the Hs 123 grounded by attrition and lack of spare parts.

from:

http://www.wwiitechpubs.com/hangar/ac-deutschland/ac-de-ga-henschel-hs-123/ac-de-ga-henschel-hs-123-br.html
http://www.kotfsc.com/aircraft/hs-123.htm


*THE EAW VERSION

This is a re-working of the previous 3DZ by Andy and myself in an attempt to bring the model up to the standards recently set by Karel Chvojka and Captain Kurt. Main changes include the addition of a new paste-on upper wing, more bracing and radio wires, plus reshaping the fuselage and nose. Thanks to Moggy for the RS wizardry and to Marek Wilks (Woolfman) for starting this. As usual there are still some RS bugs, but nothing too noticeable.

This package includes three upgraded skins for the Spanish Civil War and Poland: 

--24*2 from V88. V88 flew the first batch of Henschel 123 dive-bombers sent for evaluation to Spain by the Luftwaffe. So successful were the HS123s in the close-support role that the Nationalist air force purchased more for use by Spanish pilots.

--"Angelito" 24*7 of Grupo 24, Nationalist air force,

--aircraft "FM" from II (Schlacht)/LG 2, the only close-support unit in the Luftwaffe during the invasion of Poland (based on an original skin by Andy).

Note: Once again, those using Voodoo/3dfx cards wil need to try the F & M 3dz files in the 3dfx folder provided to ensure that the upper wing is displayed "correctly", though I'm not sure if they will work. If they do, you will miss out on a non-camouflaged under-surface for the upper wing and some of the 3DZ improvements.


*AN ADDED EXTRA

For those that want to do some hex-editing, here is a loadout option that gives a more accurate weapons selection for SCW-era Hs-123s. The data below needs to overwrite that at hex: 139C up to, and including, 14A3 in the Loadout.DAT file:

11 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 01 00 0F 02 01 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 01 00 0F 02 01 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 01 00 0F 02 01 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 05 00 0F 02 01 03 00 00 00 00 05 02 01 01 10 00 00 00 05 02 01 02 00 00 00 00 05 02 01 04 10 00 00 00 05 02 01 05 00 00 00 00 11 00 01 00 07 02 01 03 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 

This gives a choice of four underwing 50 Kg bombs and a 300Ltr fuel tank, a 250 Kg bomb on the centreline, a centreline fuel tank only or clean. This will also give the right weapons for Campaign missions using the default EAW data in Loadout.DAT, second group of records (hex; 22F4 - 232F):

11 00 00 02 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 01 02 00 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 02 FF 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 11 00 03 04 00 01 02 03 00 00 00 00 11 00 04 FF 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

See you over Madrid!

Steve T

September 2002


*FOR 3DZ'ERS

Free points E.3DZ
1
5
6
8
20-25
27-29
32-46
54-64
69-94
97-98
102-121
123
125-130
142
144-148
150-153
157
162-170
172-251


Free points F.3DZ
168
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
234
235
236
237
238
239

Free points G.3DZ
1
20-25
27-46
51-52
54-94
97-98
102-131
133-134
139-140
142-153
156-157
161-228
233-254


***Previous Versions***

Spanish Nationalist Henschel 123 A1 Angelito 24*7 of Grupo 24, Version 1.3a 

Couldn't resist a final tweak -- changed the angle of the "stirrups" and added the shock absorbers to the undecarriage, as well as a minor few details to the skin. There are now very few node points left in the 3DZ. 

This is for non 3dz/voodoo users only

Enjoy!

Steve T

August 2002


Spanish Nationalist Henschel 123 A1 Angelito 24*7 of Grupo 24, 1937 Version 1.3 for the 109G Slot

This is a major reworking of Andy and myself's modified Woolfman 3DZ. As well as a completely new skin, I've concentrated on fixing most of the more alarming rendering sequence problems (though not without creating a few more minor ones -- one step forward, half-a-step back, I'm afraid). 

I've also more accurately positioned the tailplane, added the struts in this area and provided some new detail for the pilot's head-rest. None of this was easy, so I hope you all like it ;)

Note: Once again, those using Voodoo/3dfx cards wil need to try the F & M 3dz files in the 3dfx folder provided to ensure that the upper wing is displayed "correctly", though I'm not sure if they will work. If they do, you will miss out on a non-camouflaged under-surface for the upper wing but otherwise the aircraft is unchanged.

To install, copy all the 3DZ & TPC files into your EAW directory. Knegel's flight model (the FLT file) is provided for those that want a change from the ECAP version.

S!

See you over Madrid

Steve T

August 2002

***

Version 1.2

This version includes Andy's great new 3DZ and my new virtual cockpit. Also includes 'Knegels' new flight file.

S!

Steve T

June 2002

***

Version 1.1

Henschel 123 A1 Angelito 24*7 of Grupo 24 equipped with new German planes in 1937

-- Fixed some of the normals leading to transparency when viewed from certain angles

-- added a new pilot

-- tried to fix the headrest 

-- added the "stirrup" like steps

-- remapped the texture on the upper surface of the lower wings to eliminate the markings

-- edited the 3dz to allow for non-camouflaged upper wing undersides

-- built an histroically accurate virtual cockpit with new wing view (uses gunsight sprite provided)

-- added torn off wings with the correct textures

Note 1: This model still needs a dose of the BSP calculator, but its an improvement!

Note 2: Those using 3dfx cards wil need to use the F & M 3dz files in the 3dfx folder provided to ensure that the upper wing is displayed correctly. You will miss out on a non-camouflaged under-surface for the upper wing but otherwise the aircraft is unchanged.

S!

Steve T

April 2002

***

Version 1.0

Henschell 123 Angelito of SCW
Based in a profile from:
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/drnash/model/spain/did.html
It's a real skin of Grupo 24 created with new german planes in 1937


This plane is dedicated to all who fighted and suffered spanish civil war
without distintions of afiliation!!
Take care, is a new plane ;)
3dz mods from Andy: Great work (original from Woolfman)
Skin from Stratos: Another day to the garbage!!
-------------------

Not quite Stratos ;)

--I've unmirrored it and done some work on giving Stratos' skin a bit more texture.
 
--I've altered the centre hard point position to stop stores hanging in the air. 

--I've added a new two-bladed prop with slimmed-down spinner and added the same to the virtual cockpit. 

--I've added german instruments and camoflaged wing views to the virtual cockpit.

--I've included an early model Revi gunsite sprite also. 

There are still some rendering sequence issues and tailplane struts need to be added, as well as various pitot tubes and steps. 

Not perfect, but an improvement. 

Steve T

February 2002

***

Henschel Hs-123 ver 1
Unzip the files into to your EAW folder.

Have fun

Woolfman
marekwilk@poczta.onet.pl

2001




