Henschel Hs 126

Henschel

Industry	Aerospace, defense
Founded	19th century (exact date not specified)
Headquarters	Germany
Products	Aircraft (including Henschel Hs 126)

Template:Infobox aircraft The Henschel Hs 126 was a German twin-seat reconnaissance and observation aircraft featuring a parasol wing design, developed and manufactured by the company Henschel.

Evolving from the earlier Henschel Hs 122, the Hs 126 placed the pilot within a protected cockpit beneath the parasol wing, while the rear gunner occupied an open cockpit. Its initial prototype took flight in autumn 1936, quickly followed by two additional prototypes and a pre-production series. Evaluations conducted in early 1938 highlighted its commendable short takeoff capabilities and stable low-speed handling, qualities that proved advantageous throughout its service.

The aircraft engaged in combat across multiple theatres, debuting with the Legion Condor during the late 1930s Spanish Civil War. As World War II unfolded, it became the Luftwaffe's primary short-range reconnaissance platform, extensively deployed during the Invasion of Poland, the Battle of France, and Operation Barbarossa. Notably, on 12 September 1943, several Hs 126 units towed ten DFS 230 assault gliders from Pratica di Mare airfield near Rome to Gran Sasso in a mission to liberate Benito Mussolini. The Royal Hellenic Air Force also operated sixteen of these aircraft during the Greco-Italian War. By 1943, the Luftwaffe phased out the Hs 126, replacing it with more versatile STOL aircraft such as the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch and the twin-boom Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu.

Design and development

The Hs 126 originated as an advancement of the Henschel Hs 122, which itself did not proceed beyond pre-production after testing revealed no significant advantages over the existing Heinkel He 46. In 1936, Friedrich Nicolaus, Heinkel's lead designer, initiated work on an enhanced derivative that was later designated as the Hs 126. While maintaining much of the Hs 122's fundamental layout, it introduced a redesigned parasol wing, a cantilever undercarriage, and a semi-enclosed cockpit. The structure utilized all-metal stressed skin construction.

The prototype first flew in autumn 1936, powered by a single Junkers Jumo 210 V12 engine. Initial flights were conducted without a cockpit canopy. The first prototype did not fully satisfy Luftwaffe requirements. Subsequent prototypes two and three were equipped with Bramo 323 radial engines; prototype two featured a supercharger, a larger rudder, and twin tailplane bracing struts.

By late 1937, a pre-production series labeled HS 126A-0 was completed, closely resembling the third prototype. Production-standard Hs 126A-1 models began rolling off production lines in early 1938. These were powered by BMW 132Dc radial engines and fitted with a single fixed Zeiss camera in the rear fuselage compartment. Armament provisions included two machine guns and bomb racks. Early in 1938, several units underwent operational evaluation with reconnaissance Lehrgruppe units; these trials confirmed favorable flight characteristics and excellent short-field performance.

In mid-1939, production commenced on an improved variant known as the Hs 126B-1. This model incorporated a Bramo 323 radial engine delivering enhanced high-altitude performance alongside improved short-field capabilities and was equipped with VHF radio systems. By the outbreak of World War II, approximately 257 Hs 126 aircraft had been delivered to Luftwaffe units. Production ceased in January 1941.

Operational history

When the Hs 126 A-1 was introduced into Luftwaffe service in 1938, the modernization of reconnaissance units was already well underway. Prior to this, most short-range reconnaissance squadrons operated aircraft such as the Heinkel He 45 and Heinkel He 46. Compared to the Hs 126, these models were slower, more susceptible to both ground fire and adverse weather, and had limited operational ceiling capabilities. Consequently, by May 1940, the Hs 126 had almost completely supplanted these older types within the Luftwaffe.

In late 1938, six Hs 126s were sent to Spain, where they replaced He 45 aircraft flown by the Legion Condor. The Hs 126 saw active combat during the final stages of the Spanish Civil War. Its performance in this conflict was considered satisfactory, and after the war concluded, several Hs 126 units were transferred to the Spanish Air Force.

At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the Hs 126 was operational with Aufkl.Gr 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 21, 23, 31, 32, and 41. The aircraft proved highly effective during the Invasion of Poland, establishing itself as a dependable observation and liaison platform. Nearly every corps within the German Army coordinated closely with its dedicated army cooperation reconnaissance unit. Reconnaissance missions flown during daylight typically occurred below altitudes of 2,000 meters; at night, flights were conducted at heights nearly at tree-top level. Intelligence collected was generally reported after mission completion during debriefings, though real-time communication via onboard radio was also utilized.

The Hs 126 participated actively in the Invasion of France in May 1940. During this campaign, a significant number were lost due to interceptions by Allied fighters: between May 10 and May 21 alone, approximately 20 Hs 126s were destroyed.Template:Fix/category Despite these losses, they were not considered excessive for this theater.

When the invasion of the Soviet Union commenced in June 1941, a total of forty-seven army cooperation squadrons equipped with Hs 126 aircraft took part. Losses on the Eastern Front were higher than in previous campaigns; this increased risk led to more frequent deployment of fighter escorts to protect reconnaissance flights. Moreover, the Hs 126 saw service in North Africa, including with units such as the 2./Aufklärungsgruppe (H)/14. By late 1942, it was gradually phased out there in favor of more capable aircraft like the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and Messerschmitt Bf 110.

Although replaced by its successor, the Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu, which entered Luftwaffe service in 1940, the Hs 126 remained the main short-range reconnaissance asset for frontline units until early 1942.

Later in the war, the Hs 126 found use as a glider tug and in night ground attack missions. By 1943, it had been withdrawn from nearly all frontline assignments. On September 12, 1943, several Hs 126 aircraft were employed to tow ten DFS 230 assault gliders from Pratica Di Mare airfield near Rome to Gran Sasso during a daring raid aimed at rescuing Benito Mussolini. Mussolini had been detained there following his removal by the Grand Council of Fascism and subsequent decree by Italy's King. Compared to the usual three-engine tow plane Junkers Ju 52, the smaller Henschel struggled to gain sufficient altitude to clear mountainous terrain. This difficulty caused confusion when the lead group of three gliders ascended to gain altitude, allowing Otto Skorzeny's team of three gliders to take over as leaders.

Greece

At the onset of the Greco-Italian War in 1940–41, the Royal Hellenic Air Force (Ellinikí Vasilikí Aeroporía, RHAF) operated 16 Henschel aircraft, supported by 3 Observation Mira units, assigned to III Corps and stationed in Thessaloniki and Veria. Just two days following the conflict’s commencement, on 30 October, the initial aerial engagement occurred between the Italian Regia Aeronautica and the RHAF. During this encounter, several Henschel Hs 126 planes from 3/2 Flight of the 3 Observation Mira were dispatched to scout for advancing Italian Army formations. These reconnaissance flights were intercepted by Fiat CR.42 fighters belonging to the 393^a Squadriglia. One Henschel was struck and crashed, resulting in the death of its observer, Pilot Officer Evanghelos Giannaris, marking him as the first Greek aviator casualty of the war. Another Hs 126 was shot down over Mount Smolikas, causing the fatalities of Pilot Officer Lazaros Papamichail and Sergeant Constantine Yemenetzis.

Operators

Estonia

Estonian Air Force – order cancelled following annexation

Template:Country data Nazi Germany

Luftwaffe

Template:Country data Kingdom of Greece

Royal Hellenic Air Force

Spanish State

Spanish Air Force

Specifications (Hs 126 B-1)

File:Henschel Hs 126.svg

References

Bibliography

• Carr, John, On Spartan Wings, Barnsley, SY: Pens & Sword Military, 2012. ISBN 978-1-84884-798-9.
• Munson, Kenneth, German Aircraft of World War 2 in Colour, Poole, Dorset, UK: Blandford Press, 1978. ISBN 0-7137-0860-3.

Further reading

• Gerdessen, Frederik. "Estonian Air Power 1918 – 1945". Air Enthusiast, No. 18, April – July 1982, pp. 61–76. Template:ISSN.
• Gerdessen, F. Versatile Informer in Estonia. Air Enthusiast 105, May/June 2003, p. 76. Template:ISSN.
• Green, William. Warplanes of the Third Reich. London: Macdonald and Jane's Publishers, 1970 (4th impression 1979). ISBN 0-356-02382-6.
• Lapierre, P. and Taghon, P., "Henschel 126 'contre' l'Angleterre", Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire, June 2000, issue 87, pp. 26–35. Template:ISSN (French).
• Lawrence, Joseph. The Observer's Book of Airplanes. London and New York: Frederick Warne & Co., 1945.
• Luranc, Zbigniew. Henschel Hs 126 - Skrzydła w Miniaturze (Polish). Gdańsk: Wydawnictwo Avia-Press, 1995. ISBN 83-902964-0-3.
• Nowarra, Heinz J. Nahaufklärer, 1910-1945: Die Augen des Heeres (German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag, 1981. ISBN 3-87943-808-0.
• Pęczkowski, Robert and Panek, Robert. Henschel Hs 126. Sandomierz/Redbourn: Mushroom Model Publications, 2008. ISBN 83-89450-40-2.
• Smith, John Richard; Kay, Anthony L.; Creek, Eddie J., German Aircraft of the Second World War. London: Putnam and Company Ltd., 1972. ISBN 978-1-55750-010-6.
• Wood, Tony and Gunston, Bill. Hitler's Luftwaffe: A Pictorial History and Technical Encyclopedia of Hitler's Air Power in World War II. London: Salamander Books Ltd., 1977. ISBN 0-86101-005-1.
• https://ww2.dk/oob/bestand/aufkl/b3ag21.html