Henschel Hs 132 Single-Seat Jet-Powered Dive Bomber - History, Specs and Pictures

Authored By Staff Writer | Last Updated: 4/15/2011

The Henschel Hs 132 was intended as a jet-powered dive bomber but only one complete prototype was available by the end of the war.

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The Henschel Hs 132 was another of the ambitious German jet-powered designs under development in the closing years of the Second World War. Developed in response to the mounting losses inherent with the plodding - yet still deadly when provided with escort cover - Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers at the hands of the ever-increasing Soviet fighter presence, the Hs 132 was intended as a jet-powered alternative to the piston-engine design dating back to the 1930's. This revolutionary new design never proceeded past the prototype stage by the time the Soviets overran development facilities and only one full prototype was ever completed with a total of three under construction in the closing months of the conflict. All three were collected by invading Soviet forces.

At its core, the Hs 132 was a fundamental design, streamlined to the extreme with a slim and slender fuselage from nose to tail. The most identifiable feature was the top-mounted BMW turbojet engine which sat high yet snug on the fuselage. Simple mid-mounted monoplane wings were stationed at the center of the design with the empennage adorned with a split tail assembly. In whole, the design was very similar to that of the Heinkel He 162 "Volksjager", another jet-powered aircraft that made it to production and featured a top-mounted turbojet, slim fuselage and a split "T" tail section.

Where the Hs 132 differed from the Heinkel design was in that it was to be a dedicated dive bomber. Additionally, the pilot was intended to lie on his stomach with a viewing area made out of the nose section of the fuselage. The idea behind this unorthodox flying method was that the prone individual could withstand greater G forces than a pilot sitting. With the intended role of dive bombing, this type of arrangement and design direction made perfect sense. The aircraft also featured the relatively new approach of a tricycle-style landing gear system of which all three gear structures were retractable. Initial armament was to be a single 1,102lb bomb held in an under-fuselage position that was recessed into the design.

Initial design of the Hs 132 began as early as 1944 with Henschel submitting their Hs 132 design. Wood construction was used throughout, moreso as a cost and resource cutting measure inherent in developing a weapon on a losing side of a war. The Hs 132 V1 was the only prototype to reach complete construction stage out of the three that were ordered. Beyond the V1 model, the V2 was envisioned to carry the same 1,102lb ordnance but a pair of MG 151 20mm cannons were implemented into the fuselage design. Likewise, the V3 model was to feature the same 20mm cannons as the V2 with addition of 2 x 30mm MK 103 cannons as well. In any case, this particular model would have been a potent performer with terrific self-defense capabilities when compared to the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka of old. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Henschel Hs 132
Single-Seat Jet-Powered Dive Bomber

Country of Origin: Nazi Germany
Manufacturer: Henschel - Germany
Initial Year of Service: 1945
Production: 1

Focus Model: Henschel Hs 132 V1
Crew: 1

Length: 29.20ft (8.9m)
Width: 23.62ft (7.20m)
Height: 0.00ft (0.00m)
Weight (Empty): 0lbs (0kg)
Weight (MTOW): 7,496lbs (3,400kg)

Powerplant: 1 x BMW 109-003E-2 turbojet engine developing 1,764lbs of thrust.

Maximum Speed: 485mph (780kmh; 421kts)
Maximum Range: 423miles (680km)
Service Ceiling: 33,629ft (10,250m; 6.4miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 0 feet per minute (0m/min)

Hardpoints: 1
Armament Suite:
PROPOSED ARMAMENTS

Hs 132 V1:
1 x 1,102lb bomb in recessed fuselage position

Hs 132 V2:
2 x 20mm MG 151 cannons in nose
1 x 1,102lb bomb in recessed fuselage position

Hs 132 V3:
2 x 20mm MG 151 cannons
2 x 30mm MK 103 cannons
1 x 1,102lb bomb in recessed fuselage position

Variants:
Hs 132 - Base Series Designation

Hs 132 V1 - Single prototype of a total of 3 examples under construction that was completed before war's end; fitted with a single BMW 109-003E-2 turbojet; proposed armament of 1 x 1,102lb bomb underfuselage.

Hs 132 V2 - Proposed Prototype; intended provision for a single 1,102lb bomb with 2 x 20mm MG151 cannons in nose; intended powerplant was to be a 1,984lb thrust engine.

Hs 132 V3 - Proposed Prototype;

Operators:
Nazi Germany

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