Three of the nine pre-production series
750 hp BMW VI 7
Aeroplane Photo Supply No. 2792
More detail about the He 51 A-0 from Johan Visschedijk
Pictured are the three of the nine He 51 A-0 pre-production series: A-01 D-IQEE, c/n 1046 A-04 D-IJAY, c/n 1079 (coded "21+B12" sometime after March 1935) A-05 D-IDIE, c/n 1078 Ordered in November 1933, deliveries started April 16, 1934. The He 51 A-0s were used for trials by the "getarnnte Luftwafffe" (concealed air force), hence they wore civil markings and registrations. They also became part of the "Reklamestaffel Mitteldeutschland im DLV" (publicity squadron Central Germany of the Deutscher Luftsport-Verband or German air sports association). The DLV was a paramilitary organization training youngsters to pilots, etc. The "Reklamestaffel" was a concealment for a military squadron formed May 1, 1934 at Döberitz near Berlin. The swastika was introduced on aircraft when the concealment was ended with the official presentation of the Luftwaffe on March 1, 1935. Some 2,000 aircraft of a number of types were already in operation. A large number of these aircraft kept their civil markings, at least for some time, some were never given a military serial or code. As the He 51 A-1 production series were still in production, existing photos were retouched to show the swastika. The "Reklamestaffel" became the I. Gruppe of Jagdgeschwader 152 on March 1, 1935, and was named Richthofen two weeks later.
The following is the same image from a postcard with the swastikas added.
Some other photos of the same flight.
