ADF Serials-Henschel 126

RAAF Serial

Original Serial

c/n

Type

Aircraft History

Nil

Werk Nummer currently unknown

5G + CK

Henschel Hs 126B-1

12/11/1942 Captured after being abandoned by the Luftwaffe in Libya and pressed into service by 450 Sqn, RAAF (239 Wing, RAF) for operation as a squadron hack aircraft. It was used for communications, local reconnaissance and reward flights for ground crew.

This particular Hs 126B (marked 5G + CK) had been operated by 2.(H)/Aufklärungsgruppe 14 - the only Luftwaffe unit equipped with the type during the North African campaign of 1942. Several examples were left behind by their crews as they positions were over-run by Allied army units and at least one example was captured and restored to flying status by members of 450 Squadron.

This aircraft was located by Sqn Ldr Derrick Harry "Nobby" Clarke DFC AFC on 12 November 1942 (the only British pilot serving with 450 Sqn at the time). On returning from a strafing attack on a large concentration of enemy transports near Tobruk in a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, he located the Hs 126 about 64 km (40 miles) west of the unit’s temporary landing ground and about 48 km (30 miles) south-east of Sollum.

Incidentally, Sqn Ldr Clarke is known to have captured and operated several aircraft including Macchi C.200 Saetta MM.5285 from January to March 1943 while he was serving with 250 Sqn, RAF - another 239 Wing unit.

On 13/11/1942 Clarke along with four other pilots, a fitter and a rigger left early, proceeding in a 762 kg (15 cwt – 1,680 lb) truck with supplies in another 3,048 kg (3 ton – 6,720 lb) truck. They came across five South African Air Force pilots in a jeep with the same idea. They was fierce competition for such prizes and 450 Sqn was moving from its present location at LG76 to LG139 at Gambut on the next day - so the pressure was on. The 450 Sqn party swiftly prepared the Henshel for flight and the aircraft was also hastily retouched with RAAF markings including Squadron’s Code "OK" and the legend "Tripoli or Bust" on the empennage.

On 14/11/1942 following ground running of the engine, the Hs 126 was flown to the squadron's new temporary home at Gambut where it joined Squadron's growing fleet of captured aircraft.

According to the last CO of 450 Sqn, Sqn Ldr Jack Carlisle Doyle, the unit only ever had one Hs 126 on charge but he never flew it. Several other 450 Sqn pilots flew it as a hack as well as showing some appreciation for the hard working ground crew members by giving them joy flights or "jollies". The aircraft was also used as the squadron's communications aircraft as well as some short range local reconnaissance work.

Eventually the aircraft was abandoned and presumably scrapped.