Henschel Hs-123 Fighter, Dive-Bomber
By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette
Aviation Art Store
I will add the development and history of the Henschel Hs-123 Fighter, Divebomber.
In the mean time, below are images I scanned from a plastic model magazine from 1970.
In my interview with Luftwaffe pilot Wilhelm Kriessmann, he mentioned that he flew the Hs-123 in a training unit.
He was well aware of the successful use of the fighter, dive-bomber in combat in Spain, Poland, France and Russia.
Wilhelm commented; "The Hs-123 impressed me much stronger as a dive-bomber than the old Ju-87 model. She was like a stinging wasp when diving you could press a button and sirens fixed beneath the wings were howling causing a devastating effect".
This is from a Luftwaffe pilot that loved his job! And I don't blame him. I damn sure would have done the very same, given the chance.
The described his Hs-123 as painted in Green and Gray splinter pattern with a light Blue bottom.
Wilhelm's first flight in the Hs-123 was on October 28, 1939 at Straubing. Aircraft codes were S13+H46. The "S" represents "School."
His second flight was on November 11, 1939 at Straubing.
Aircraft codes were S13+B12. He flew the Hs-123 one more time at the end of AB
flying school.
The profile below is by an artist named Sydney P. Chivers.
The model as well as the profile was from a very old model magazine. The artist and modeler was Sidney Chivers.
August 2, 2008