The Henschel Hs 123 – A Technical Guide Book Review

By David L. Veres

Review

Building GasPatch Models 1:48 Hs 123? How about Esci’s older effort? Or Airfix’s classic kit?

You need this book.

The Henschel Hs 123: A Technical Guide – seventh in Valiant Wings’ superb “Airframe Detail” series – tells the total tale in just 70 pithy, picture-packed pages. And like all the publisher’s titles, expect lots of eye candy.

Author Richard A. Franks kick-starts contents with a handy history of Nazi Germany’s rugged, maneuverable little biplane. Over 600 were constructed before the type left frontline service in 1944.

Valiant’s succinct study then seamlessly segues to a lavishly illustrated, 25-page “technical description”. Modelers will love it. Dozens of photos and archival images dutifully depict the full range of Hs 123 details – inside and out.

Constructing an Hs 123 diorama? You’ll learn the right way to tie-down your miniature Henschel.

Coverage turns even meatier for markings mavens in remaining parts.

A “camouflage & markings” chapter with 33 color profiles, supporting plan insets, and close-up shots authoritatively detail Hs 123 warpaint in Luftwaffe, Chinese, and Spanish use. A subsequent section covers Steve Evans’ terrific build of GasPatch Models recent 1:48-scale Hs 123. And four appendices survey supporting “kits”, “accessories & masks”, “decals”, and references.

But Chinese warplanes sported twelve rudder stripes – six blue and six white – not eleven, as claimed.

Henschel’s design proved so successful that, in 1943, Generaloberst Wolfram von Richthofen, commander of Luftflotte 4 on the Eastern Front – dubbed “Gert von Richthofen” in text – remarkably sought its return to production. Unfortunately, manufacture ceased in 1938, and tooling was scrapped in 1940.

Get the whole story in Valiant’s concise, compelling compendium. Grab this book.

Robustly recommended!

With thanks to Valiant Wings Publishing for this review copy.