Heinkel He 51 (oz5664)

About this Plan

Heinkel He 51. Control line scale model.

Quote: "When the government of Spain fell into the hands of Communists, Francisco Franco launched a military revolution from Morocco in an attempt to seize control of the country. This civil war action expanded into international proportions as the then Fascist nations of Germany and Italy supported the revolution and Communist Russia helped the Loyalist government. The three parties poured men and machines into Spain on a 'voluntary' basis. Thus the Spanish Civil War became the testing ground for military equipment and tactical theory of three major European powers.

Considered by many to be one of the classics in fighter plane design, along with the Hawker Fury and Curtiss P-6E Hawk, the Heinkel He-51 was the German Luftwaffe's first fighter. This clean biplane appeared in 1933 when the prototype underwent tests which were so successful that the carft was ordered in quantity. By 1935 it had become the standard Luftwaffe single-seat fighter. Jagdgeschwader Richthofen and Jagdgeschwader Horst Wessel were the first wings to be equipped with the He-51.

Powered by a BMW twelve cylinder Vee-type, liquid cooled engine of 750 horsepower the bipe had a maximum speed of 205 miles per hour. Normal range was 242 miles, ceiling was 25,356 feet. The He-51 scaled 400 pounds fully loaded. All Luftwaffe Heinkels were painted silvery-gray overall.

The He-51 spearheaded the German forces in the Spanish Civil War and became part of Jagdgruppe 88 which finally consisted of thirty six Heinkels. When hundreds of Russian 'Rata' and 'Mosca' fighters which could out-perform the He-51 made their appearance, the Heinkel was shifted to ground support duties. The Messershmitt 109 assumed the fighter role in Spain for the Germans during the spring of 1937. When the He-51 was flown as a fighter by Hennes Trautloft it sported a silver gray color scheme. When used by Adolf Galland (see August 1961 American Modeler) as a ground attack weapon, his Heinkel was covered with mottled camouflage. Combat experience in Spain dictated the use of an external auxiliary fuel tank which boosted range to 430 miles.

Our plans show the markings which appeared on the He-51 flown by Hannes Trautloft in the Spanish Civil War. In addition to this we have included the Luftwaffe colors as used by one of the Heinkels with the Geschwader Richthofen should the reader want German instead of Spanish markings.

Any glow plug engine size .29 to .49 can be installed in this one inch to the foot scale biplane. The wing area is an ample 292 square inches, so we do not worry much about excessive weight forward. Unless an extremely heavy engine is used with a short crankshaft the model balances tail heavy when completed. Screw lead weights to forward section of engine mounts or cowl interior. It is advisable to use light balsa for the tail surfaces..."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article pages, text and pics, thanks to Pit.
Alternate scan of the plan (as sold by Uncle Willie) thanks to bernd.

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