Heinkel He 51 C-1

Heinkel · Germany · first flew 1936 · fighter

The He 51 C-1 was a ground-attack conversion of the He 51 biplane fighter, equipped with underwing bomb racks for use in the close-support role over Spain.

Recognition (WEFT)

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Spot it by:

• Ground-attack biplane, wheeled undercarriage
• Bomb racks under lower wing
• Condor Legion close-support role

A classic single-bay sesquiplane biplane with rounded wingtips, prominent V-strut undercarriage, and a cowled inline engine; underwing bomb racks mark the C-1 out from earlier fighter sub-variants.

Specifications

• The Heinkel He 51 C-1 has a length of 8.4 m (28 ft).
• It has a wingspan of 11 m (36 ft).
• Its maximum speed is 330 km/h (205 mph).
• Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

By 1936 the He 51 had been surpassed in air-to-air combat by faster monoplane opponents, prompting the Luftwaffe to repurpose it for ground attack with the Condor Legion. The C-1 retained the wheeled landing gear of the original fighter while adding bombing capability. Experience gained in Spain directly informed the development of the Blitzkrieg's combined-arms doctrine.

Variants

The C-1 used a wheeled undercarriage, distinguishing it from the otherwise similar C-2; both C-series aircraft were operational conversions rather than new-build aircraft.

Where you'll see it

Served with the Condor Legion in Spain from late 1936; subsequently used as a trainer in the Luftwaffe as the Bf 109 replaced it in front-line roles.

Related aircraft

• Heinkel He 114
• Heinkel He 118
• Heinkel He 51 C-2
• He 111
• Arado Ar 95
• Avia B-634
• Boeing P-26C Peashooter
• Brewster XSBA-1

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