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

[Der Kommandeur]

But is that not a cannon gondola under the fuslage?

[Modeldad]

yes it is. According to Pegg the 30mm Mk. 101 was first used on the Eastern Front in June 1942.

There are a couple of excellent picture of the B-1 with the Mk 101 in his book. The extenal cover was realtively low in cross section.

[Der Kommandeur]

Hi Modeldad

Thank you for the confirmation. You may think me mad, but I'm modelling GHQ's 1/285th HS129

http://www.ghqmodels.com/store/ac41.html

and I thought to add bombs and racks to the wings (the model only includes a choice of 3cm or 7.5cm cannon) if historically likely. Hence my interest.

Thanks again

[Modeldad]

On the 75 mm I doubt it. On the 30 mm it is only a reference to racks, not bombs. But if that is your reference. So be it.

[Der Kommandeur]

"But if that is your reference. So be it."

Oh! Don't be like that! ;-)

Seriously, I'd like it to be accurate ... so thought I'll only add the racks. But then I found this:

http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/a...t/bioll129.htm

Nice model!

DK

[Modeldad]

Considering he had no references.

According to Pegg, there was a "Blue O", and it was a B-2 fitted with Mk 101 / 30 mm. It was with 4.(Pz)/Sch.G.2 at Castel Benito, Libya, February 1943. Wk. Nr. began with 03. It was "abandoned" and examined by the RAF.

It does not appear to have been in 78/79/80. But rather close to them with Farbton 65 underside. Perhaps Italian paints were used over 70/71

[Der Kommandeur]

Thank you for that MD.

Is there a record of the fate of this aircraft?

Jeffrey Ethell's "Eagles over North Africa and the Mediterranean 1940–1943" has a picture of an HS129 displaying these markings and mottled scheme (p44), captioned as " ... 'Blue O', an HS 129B-1 with 4/Schlachtgeschwader 2 ... taxis out at Libyia in Novemebr 1942."

[Boomerang]

Gentleman:

I believe that the best interpretation of the attached images is that they show a Hs 129 with a cannon fitted under the fuselage in a gondola (and hence likely to be the 30mm tank-busting installation) and a small bomb under each wing.

Obviously the picture quality isn't great. I also cannot provide information as to whether this is an operational setup, or is for demonstration purposes. Nonetheless, I have posted them in the hope they can further the discussion.

Another image (not posted) shows WerkNr = 0373

Cheers

Boomerang

[Der Kommandeur]

Great Boomerang! Thank you again! Which DVD are the stills from?

So ... would there have been an operational issue in terms of weight, for arming with the 3cm and wing-mounted bombs?

Would there have been a clear distinction operationally between ground attack and antitank sorties, specifically? (Bombs on the wings and centre line for the former, 3cm on the centre line for the latter.)

Arming with 3cm cannon and bombs would seem to offer more flexibility per sortie.

WDYT?

[Der Kommandeur]

Hi Boomerang
Hi All

Not quite a shameless 'bump' ... I have (only) just found this page, which has some good images on it:

http://www.luftwaffepics.com/lhs1291.htm

which has a slightly less grainy version of your images:

http://www.luftwaffepics.com/lhs1291.htm

possibly cannon and bombs in this shot:

http://www.luftwaffepics.com/LCBW/Hs129-3s.jpg

While they do not conclusively answer the question of arming with canon and bombs operationally, it looks likely.