Henschel Hs 127

The Henschel Hs 127 was a German bomber that was built as two prototypes, but cancelled without entering mass production. In 1935, the RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium – German Ministry of Aviation) published requests for a fast tactical bomber. Junkers, Focke-Wulf, Messerschmitt and Henschel all submitted designs.

Focke-Wulf soon withdrew from participation, so three projects were presented: the future Hs 127, the Junkers Ju 88 and the Messerschmitt Bf 162. Prototypes were ordered of all three, with new Daimler-Benz DB 600 engines to be installed on all three types.

The maiden flight of the Hs 127 V1 was at the end of 1937. The plane was smaller and lighter than the Ju 88 and had a very good top speed of 565 km/h (353 mph), but the Ju 88 was chosen because of its bigger bomb load.

In May 1938, the contract for Hs 127 development was cancelled by the RLM and the third prototype was not finished.

General characteristics

• Crew: 3
• Length: 12 m (39 ft 4 in)
• Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
• Empty weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
• Gross weight: 8,000 kg (17,637 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 600 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine, 630 kW (850 hp) each

Performance

• Maximum speed: 568 km/h (353 mph, 307 kn)

Armament
1,500 kg (3,300 lb) bomb load

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