The Henschel Hs 129 Tank Buster- The Luftwaffe's Warthog

As Germany prepared to fight Russia’s overwhelming tank forces in Operation Barbarossa, Hitler desired a blitzkrieg tactic. He saw the necessity for the Henschel HS 129, a tank hunting close support aircraft. Despite being piloted by record-breaking airman Rudolph Heins Rufer, the plane did not find widespread popularity during WWII. The HS 129 was hurried to the battlefield despite sluggish development and poor manufacture, and it was never constructed in sufficient quantities to have a meaningful influence on key engagements.
Adolf Hitler’s goal was to quickly reclaim and extend Germany’s historical borders, rather than pursuing a long trench battle like WW1. To reinforce ground forces, he needed a tank hunter aircraft. The usefulness of bomber aircraft in disrupting enemy logistics and equipment was recognised by European governments. As the Second World War broke out, dive bombers played a critical role. The Condor Legion (RLM) of Germany proved the efficiency of cannon-armed Hienkel He 112 and Henschel HS 123 ground defences. To counter these weapons, RLM opted to create an aeroplane dedicated entirely to destroying cannons, machine guns, and other ground defences, rather than attacking specific targets. This strategy allowed Germany to move up the chessboard and reclaim its historical territory.
The (RLM) released a demand for a small, armoured aircraft with numerous cannons, low-powered engines, and cockpit windows with 75 millimetre glass in April 1937. The aircraft was built to withstand small weapons fire from hostile forces, necessitating extensive armoring of the cockpit, engines, and body. For vision, the cockpit has to be near to the nose. The RLM also ordered that no other planes’ engines be utilised in order to prevent interfering with the manufacturing run to the remainder of the fleet, which would restrict the project’s efficacy.
the Focke Wulf and Henschel aircraft firms submitted concepts. Focke Wulf suggested significantly armoring the FW 189, whereas Henschel offered a new two engine single seat aircraft. In October 1938, the RLM issued preliminary contracts to both enterprises. Henschel was given the ultimate say, with design work commencing in January 1938 and finishing in August. The Argus AS 14 Azero engine, which produced just 430 horsepower, was the least attractive aspect of the aircraft’s design.

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