Heinkel HE-51B1 - Spanish

Heinkel HE-51B1 Aviación Nacional Spring 1936

First flown in 1932, this elegant German aircraft had a traditional fabric covered steel-tube fuselage and wood frame wings, was powered by a glycol-cooled BMW VI 750hp, 12 cylinder engine, and armed with two 7.92mm Rheinmetall MG17s mounted above the engine. In 1936, Hitler sent the HE-51–equipped Kondor Legion to Spain, and outfitted two Nationalist squadrons with the aircraft. After some initial success, the 51 was totally outclassed by Russian Polikarpov fighters flying for the Loyalists, and relegated to ground attack duties.