Airframe Detail Number 7 – Henschel Hs.123

[Mike]

Airframe Detail Number 7 – Henschel Hs.123

Valiant Wings Publishing

 

 

The rugged Hs.123 was intended to be little more than a stopgap design until the more advanced Stuka was ready, but after initial issues with the wings departing the airframe in mid-flight it was found to be a capable dive bomber that was nimble and relatively quick for a biplane.  The lack of rigging and all metal construction gave it a streamlined shape that was deceptively slick with the exception of the spatted undercarriage that was also to appear on its successor.  Although production ceased in 1940 as no upgrades were required of it before it was superseded, it soldiered on until 1940 despite being hopelessly outclassed by the newer aircraft that were reaching service during the war.

 

It fought first in the Spanish Civil War under the Legion Condor banner on the side of the Republicans, and once it had been proven to be a capable performer there, it was used in the early stages of WWII in the west against the French and also the Baltic states, then later on it was used in the ground attack role on the Eastern Front where it was still well able to carry out its job until they ran out of spares and serviceable airframes.  The 123’s performance led the RLM to consider a dedicated successor to the ground attack role, which led to the Hs.129 that carried a large cannon.  I like large cannons on aircraft in case you didn’t know.

 

 

This book, by author Richard A Franks, with profiles and plans by Richard J Caruana and an example model produced by Steve A Evans is perfect-bound as usual and consists of 66 pages within a card jacket, printed on glossy paper stock throughout.  It is number 7 in the Airframe Detail series that concentrates more on the aircraft in question, with just a short section to the rear with an example build of the relatively recent kit in 1:48 from Gaspatch models.  The book is broken down into sections as follows:

 

Introduction

1 Technical Description

Detailed coverage of construction and equipment

2 Camouflage & Markings

Colour side profiles, notes and photographs

3 Handsome Henschel

A build of the 1:48 kit from Gaspatch by Steve A Evans

Appendices

i Hs.123 kits

ii Hs.123 accessory & mask list

iii Hs.123 decal list

iv Bibilography

 

 

 

Despite there being no extant airframes that survived the war and a warning of that in the first pages, there are tons of photographs, diagrams and profiles, all of which are contemporary in black and white due to that being the predominant film format of the day.   The profiles are distributed through the 2nd section of the book, and show a staggering thirty three of the airframes from various operators, backed up with photos of some of them adjacent.  The sheer level of detail given within the pages is perfect for the modeller, and will be of use to anyone from novice to super-detailer, with some of the photos and drawings showing the interior, subassembly layout, the instrument panel and other fine details that could improve your build.

 

 

Steve Evans' build of the new Gaspatch kit shows what can be done to the model, and results in a lovely example that anyone would be pleased to have in their collection.  From a modelling standpoint there is plenty of scope for building and painting one of the other smaller scale or older kits such as the 1:72 Airfix, or Fly Models, or in 1:48 the Revell or Italeri kits.

 

Conclusion

Another Excellent volume from Valiant, and an interesting one especially for those interested in the Spanish Civil War or a fondness for ground attack aircraft.  I’d love to see someone build the Chinese airframe with its tiny leaf-like camo – that would seriously test your painting skills.

 

Very highly recommended.

 

 

Review sample courtesy of