The Henschel Hs 129 was a World War IIground-attack aircraft fielded by the GermanLuftwaffe. The aircraft saw combat in Tunisia and on the Eastern Front. Hs 129 B-1
Even before the A-1s were delivered, the plane was redesigned with Gnome-Rhône 14Mradial engines, which were captured in some number when France fell and continued to be produced under German occupation. This engine supplied 522 kW (700 hp) for takeoff, compared to the Argus at 347 kW (465 hp). The Gnome-Rhone radials were also made in versions with opposite rotation for the propeller, and were installed on the Hs 129 with the port engine rotating clockwise and the starboard rotating counterclockwise, as seen from nose-on, thus eliminating engine torque problems. The A-1 planes were converted into Hs 129 B-0s for testing (although it has been claimed that some As were sold to Romania) and the pilots were reportedly much happier. Their main complaint was the view from the canopy, so a single larger windscreen and a new canopy with much better vision were added, resulting in the production model Hs 129 B-1.
B-1s started rolling off the lines in December 1941, but they were delivered at a trickle. In preparation for the new plane, I./SchlG 1 had been formed up in January with Bf 109 E/Bs (fighter-bomber version of Bf 109 E) and Hs 123s, and they delivered B-0s and every B-1 that was completed. Still, it was not until April that 12 B-1s were delivered and the 4th staffel (squadron) became ready for action. They moved to the Eastern Front (to the Crimea) in the middle of May 1942, and in June they received a new weapon, the 30 mm (1.2 in) MK 101 cannon with armor-piercing ammunition in a centerline pod. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henschel_Hs_129
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