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Civettone said:The gun could also be dropped in case of an emergency after which the nimble Hs 123 could rather easily lose its opponent.
Thanks for the encouragementI've always liked the lines of this plane. Intersting thought, however, when considering the trend through the course of the war on both sides toward faster, more powerful aircraft, it's doubtfull that the ruggedness and serviceablity of this machine alone could have justified continued production. Production facilities should have been geared toward producing more units of fewer types and focusing on fighters and fast ground attack planes. The Eastern Front gradually saw better, more numerous, and better flown fighters on the Russian side and I'm sure the losses of the ground attack aircraft would have been much higher had the 123 taken the place of say more Fw-190's doing a similar role.
Thanks for the post. I'm sure this will be well debated.
Thanks Shortround, I was wondering about that. Can you elaborate on the MK 103 syncro? I know the Fw 190 had a problem with it but this was because of the different priming IIRC. Does it also apply to the MK 101?Well the 30mm MK 103 under the fuselage is a non- starter, they couldn't syncro it to fire through the propeller.
But the Hs 123 also used custer munitions of which the Luftwaffe had a great number (at least cataloged if not in actual inventory) With a cluster bomb under each wing holding 40-90 hollow charge bomblets it wouldn't take that many Hs 123s to make things interesting for a Russian tank formation.
Fewer Hs 123s were lost to enemy aircraft than the Ju 87. But in general attack aircraft losses to enemy fighters was rather low especially compared to the Western Front. The Hs 123 proved to be very difficult to shoot down because it was more manoeuvrable than any fighter (unless they would crank up an old I-153). It was also rugged and could take quite a bit of punishment.I think it would have a hard time losing most enemy fighters purely because of its slow speed. It could dodge very well alright, being as nimble as it was, but it would only be delaying the inevitable. A Yak fighter would've made mince meat of it.
Yet, the Hs 123 remained succesful until 1944. Taking a look at the losses by Schlachtflugzeugen on the Eastern Front in 1944 shows a truly remarkable low number of losses ! This also applies to the Hs 129 and Ju 87 which were easier targets for the Russian fighters.
Of course I am talking percentage wise ...Are you looking at straight numbers or percentages? How many of these types were flying in 1944? If there are only a few dozen around, and 5 are lost, the loss of five aircraft sounds like a "remarkably low number" but as a percent, it's pretty bad. I don't have the figures but would be interested in knowing. Same for the 129's and Stukas.
I'm about to hijack the thread
The Do-17 adapted for down dirty attacks could be a more viable idea.
It used non-strategic engines*, the twin layout allowed for wide assortment of cannon armament, and the dorsal turret featuring MG-151 would provide a nice punch. Of course, a crew of two in an armored crew department is a must. Some under-wing rockets would make it a good all-round ground attack plane.
*and not the troublesome G&R ones
Nooooooo !!!!!!I'm about to hijack the thread
Civettone said:Soren, I agree.
Also note that low speed at this point actually becomes an advantage.
I am a 123 fan and I totally agree that the 123 should have been put back into production.
With a few twists. A rear gunner (not just for gunnery, as I said before, his eyes are more valuable than his gun) protection by at leas a few 109s for each Geschwader of 123s, spin stablized rocket aramament, and retractable landing gear. Engine can continue to be the BMW 132 K.