Henschel Hs 122

The Henschel Hs 122 was a German single‑seat biplane fighter prototype developed by Henschel & Sohn in the early 1930s as part of Germany’s covert re‑armament program. First flown on 23 March 1932, the aircraft combined a mixed steel‑tube fuselage with wooden wing ribs and a fabric covering, reflecting the transitional construction methods of the period. Powered by a 12‑cylinder BMW VI water‑cooled V‑12 engine delivering about 600 hp, the Hs 122 achieved a maximum speed of roughly 340 km/h and a service ceiling near 8,500 meters. Its key features included staggered, equal‑span wings with ailerons on both upper and lower surfaces, a fixed tailskid undercarriage, and an open cockpit equipped with basic instrumentation. Although flight tests demonstrated respectable handling, the design was rapidly eclipsed by newer low‑wing monoplane concepts such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109, and only two prototypes were built. The Hs 122’s greatest significance lies in the experience it provided Henschel’s engineers, directly influencing the later Hs 123 ground‑attack aircraft and contributing to the firm’s reputation as a capable military aircraft manufacturer during the pre‑World II era, and laid groundwork for post‑war designs.