Heinschel Hs-129: The A-10’s Grandaddy!
Early Prototypes and Development
Designed from the ground up as a bespoke attack aircraft, the Hs-129’s first prototype was unflyable. The project had been given the go-ahead on the condition it would not use high-priority equipment and was subsequently given underpowered engines.
Subsequent machines were given more powerful French engines and performed better. The pilot sat in an armored steel bathtub while the cockpit was armored with steel plating and bulletproof glass. The windows were even angled to deflect incoming projectiles. The cockpit was so tight that some of the instruments had to be moved outside: Gauges for engine RPM, coolant temperature, and oil pressure were situated on the engine pods themselves!
Combat Use and Variants
The Hs-129 was mainly used on the Eastern Front and proved to be a good strike platform. The A variant came equipped with the usual 20mm cannon. The B variant was a specialised anti-vehicle platform and came with a 30mm cannon in a pod. The C variant went all out and was equipped with a 75mm cannon! The recoil was diabolical but one shot was usually all that was needed to destroy a tank!
-RBM.
