He 51B-0

The Heinkel He 51B‑0 was the first production variant of Germany’s early biplane fighter, introduced in 1934 as the Luftwaffe’s primary pursuit aircraft. Developed from the He 51A prototype, the B‑0 featured a strengthened airframe, a 12‑cylinder Rolls‑Royce Kestrel V‑12 engine delivering 560 hp, and a top speed of roughly 330 km/h (205 mph). It carried two 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns in the upper cowling. The conventional biplane layout with equal‑span wings and fixed landing gear gave excellent maneuverability at low to medium altitudes, a trait proven in the Spanish Civil War where the He 51B‑0 first saw combat. Though soon outclassed by monoplane designs such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109, it served as a vital trainer and helped shape German tactical doctrine before World II. A total of 322 B‑0s were built before the line moved to the He 51D, and the type remained in service through the early war years. A total of 322 He 51B‑0 airframes were built before production shifted to the newer He 51D series. After being retired from front‑line duties in 1939, many examples served as advanced trainers, liaison platforms, and even aerobatic display aircraft for the Luftwaffe’s sport squadrons, extending the type’s service life into the early years of World War II.