Did the HS 129 B-2 operate in Tunisia 1942/43?

[Der Kommandeur]

Hi Everyone

Does anyone know if the HS 129 B-2 (?) armed with the 3cm cannon served in the above theatre.

If so, which units operated them?

Information or pointers will be appreciated.

Cheers

DK

[Der Kommandeur]

I have had a bit more time for a hunt round the forum. I see that Martin Pegg and Dénes Bernád have published books on this type (one of Pegg's is out of print and expensive s/h).

Amazon.co.uk shows two titles, but there seems to be a mix-up:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/18578...613482-7203834

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Henschel-HS-...e=UTF8&s=books

I assume one has the wrong cover thumbnail. Anyhow, Which book is best for info on Tunisian theatre aircraft, units, pilots, markings and camouflage?

Meantime I have found this on the web:

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/2072/SchG1.html

which indicates 5 Staffel of Schlachtgeschwader 1 (or was it designated Sturzkampfgeschwader 1 at this time), equipped with B-2s, so I assume these were armed with the 3cm weapon?

Any further info appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[Modeldad]

After looking at the various books by Pegg and Bernad and other information, a "B-2" with a 30 mm MK 101 cannon was operated by 4.(PZ)/Sch.G.2 at El Adem. This aircraft had Wk. Nr. 0296, which originally was contracted as a B-1 (trop), but which was upgraded to B-2 standards.

The aircraft is Blue A, and was destroyed by the Germans after a crash landing.

The aircraft is often profiled as having the circular iuntakes of the B-1. But if upgraded to B-2 standars, it would have had the rectangular and angled under-cowl intakes.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Der Kommandeur

I have had a bit more time for a hunt round the forum. I see that Martin Pegg and Dénes Bernád have published books on this type (one of Pegg's is out of print and expensive s/h).

Amazon.co.uk shows two titles, but there seems to be a mix-up:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/18578...613482-7203834

and

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Henschel-HS-...e=UTF8&s=books

I assume one has the wrong cover thumbnail.

No. They actually quote the wrong author

The new Midland Publ. title is authored by yours truly. It focuses mostly on production and technical isses, and has no details on combat operations.

[Der Kommandeur]

Hi Modeldad
Hi Dénes

Thank you both for your input here.

Dénes: it is a shame about the mixup on the Amazon site ... you should contact them to resolve it, and maybe you should add something there about your volume?

Modeldad: you seem to suggest that only one aircraft was equipped with the 3cm? Also, the El Adem deployment would predate the Tunisian campaign.

Another question springs to mind: were aircraft that were armed with the 3cm cannon also (often/usually) armed with a pair of bombs on under wing racks?

Thank you in advance

DK

[Boomerang]

Hello DK

Re your latter question:

Another question springs to mind: were aircraft that were armed with the 3cm cannon also (often/usually) armed with a pair of bombs on under wing racks?

I have an image of a Hs 129, with the 30 mm tankbusting cannon, which also has a small bomb under each wing. This doesn't resolve whether this was the usual/frequent armament fit, but may be of interest to you. I will convert to jpg and attach to another post, but give me a day or two - it's getting late over here! Werknr = 0373.

Cheers

Boomerang

[Modeldad]

My notes above seem to be the only specific reference to an aircraft.

Pegg notes that with respect to Tunisa, in December 1942 5./SchG.1 was redesignated 8(Pz)/Sch.G.2. By January 1943, he notes that most Hs 129 attacks were carried out by aircraft fitted with 30 mm cannon and bomb rack under each wing [note: he does not indicate if boimbs were carried, just that racks were fitted]. He then goes on to note that some Hs 129 were maintained as pure bomb carries with four SD 50s on the center line rack and AB 23 containers on each of the wing racks.

There are, however, no definitive pictures of Hs 129s with the 30 mm cannon installed. There is one small picture, head on, of an Hs 129 under reapir at El Aouina. One can make out a cannon instillation under the fuselage that has been unhinged from.

[Der Kommandeur]

Hi Boomerang
Hi Modeldad

Thank you both for your input on this.

Boomerang: I look forward to the picture.

Meanwhile, this seems to show the 3cm and bombs on wing racks on a North African theatre a/c:

http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/hs129-4.html

WDYT?

DK

[Modeldad]

Dollars to Donuts that picture is in Russia.

That is a B-1 of II. / Sch.G.1 Russia, perhaps June/July 1942

Pegg identifies the bombs as SC 10

[Der Kommandeur]

"Dollars to Donuts that picture is in Russia."

Really? Ooops! Thanks MD.