Henschel Hs 132

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An artist's impression of the Henschel Hs 132.

The Henschel Hs 132 was a World War II dive bomber and interceptor aircraft of the Luftwaffe that never saw service. The unique design featured jet power and the pilot in a prone position. The Berlin Charlottenberg B9 built by DVL proved the advantages of the prone position, and as result the Hs 132 was developed. The design feature allowed a very small profile and increased pilots' tolerance to high acceleration turns. Initially intended as a dive bomber, an interceptor version (Hs 132B) to attack enemy bombers equipped with two 20 mm MG 151 cannons was proposed as well. The Soviet Union overran the factory as the Hs 132 V1 was nearing flight testing.

• Prototypes Produced: Hs 132 V1, Hs 132 V2
• Proposed Variants:
• *Hs 132A 500 kg (1,102 lb) bomb, no guns
• *Hs 132B two 20 mm MG 151 cannon, bomb
• *Hs 132C
• Engines: BMW 003A-1 (132A), Jumo 004 (132B)
• Loaded weight: 7,496 lb (3400 kg)
• Dimensions: Wingspan 23 ft 7.5 in (7.2 m), Length 29 ft 2.5 in (8.9 m), Height 9 ft 10 in (3 m)
• Predicted performance:
• *Top speed
• ** 435 mph (700 km/h ); w bomb
• ** 485 mph (780 km/h ); w/o bomb
• *Range: w/bomb, altitude 6.12 mi (10 km), 696 mi (1,120 km)

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