The Only Mass-Produced WWII Aircraft That Was Considered the Grandfather of A10-Warthog

Designed to Break Tanks

The Henschel Hs 129 was the only mass-produced aircraft of World War II built specifically to destroy enemy armored vehicles. It was created in response to the rising number of Soviet tanks pushing through German defenses on the Eastern Front. While the aircraft had serious problems—such as weak engines and limited visibility from the cockpit—it still played an important role on the battlefield.

German pilots gave it nicknames like “Tank Cracker” and “Can Opener” because of its focus on destroying tanks. Some pilots flying the Hs 129 reportedly destroyed over 50 tanks, showing that the plane, while flawed, could be effective in combat. Its strength came from its heavy armor and ability to operate low to the ground, right above enemy positions.

The Need for Close Support

Even though Germany had used ground attack aircraft in World War I, many military leaders were slow to support new close air support planes. They thought dive bombers, like the Junkers Ju 87, could handle the job. But when German forces helped during the Spanish Civil War, they learned that dive bombers weren’t ideal for direct support of ground troops.

This experience led to the development of aircraft better suited for attacking targets up close. The earlier Hs 123 showed some promise, but the Hs 129 was designed with even more focus on protection and power, making it better suited for attacking tanks and vehicles directly.

Built for the Battlefield

In 1937, the German air ministry set requirements for a new attack plane that could survive harsh conditions near the front lines. The Hs 129 was designed with a strong armored cockpit, engines, and fuel tanks to protect the pilot. The aircraft was compact and used two engines. Due to the tight space, many instruments were placed in odd locations—even outside the windshield.

Early versions used underpowered engines, but later models improved after switching to stronger French-built radial engines. Even with upgrades, the aircraft was hard to fly and difficult to aim due to poor cockpit layout. Still, its armor and weapons allowed it to play a major role in tank battles.

Combat Use on the Eastern Front

By 1941, the Hs 129 was in regular use and became the main German aircraft for tank attacks on the Eastern Front. It was heavily used in large battles against Soviet armor. Despite its handling issues, it could take damage and continue its mission, making it a reliable support aircraft.

The Hs 129 was also flown by Romania and Hungary, showing its usefulness across different air forces. While not perfect, it proved that specialized aircraft could fill a key role. Its design focus on survivability and tank-killing made it one of the closest comparisons to the modern A-10 Warthog.