610 hp Junkers Jumo 210Aa V-12
The companion of the Panzer
It was in 1933 that the German military authorities established the project of a dive bomber. To respond to this demand, which was to lead to the famous Ju. 87 Stuka, several manufacturers entered into competition. These were Arado, Heinkel, Junkers and Blohm & Woss. For these firms, it was a question of developing the essential instrument of aerial domination, the machine of destruction to work in agreement with the Panzer packs.
The bombings of 1936
Three prototypes of the Ha 137 were assembled, then subjected to tests during the summer of 1935. With its three-blade propeller, its "inverted gull wings" and a wide-panted landing gear, the plane was easily recognizable. In 1936 in Rechlin, the competing aircraft took part in a dive bombing competition to decide between them. The Ha 137 had to bow to the performance of the Junkers 87. Production of the aircraft was then suspended.
A power problem
However, the value of the machine made it possible to consider a configuration intended for the navy. Two projects for a version equipped with floats were established but they did not come to fruition. The Ha 137 A, the first prototype of this all-metal single-seater, was equipped with a BMW-132 radial engine. The insufficient motorization was the real weak point of the device delivered by Blohm and Woss.
Main country Germany.
FEATURES
Type: single-seat dive bomber.
Engine: 1 Junkers Jumo of 640 hp.
Performance: maximum speed, 340 km/h; practical ceiling, 8,500 m; time to climb to 1,000 m, 1.5 min; range of action, 600 km.
Empty mass, 1,800 kg; maximum take-off, 2,400 kg.
Dimensions: wingspan, 11.15 m; length, 9.50 m; height, 4 m; wing surface, 23 m2.
Armament: 2 7.9 mm MG-17 machine guns; 4 bombs of 50 kg.
In October 1935, the first prototype of the Ha 137 was damaged during testing in Travemünde. This aircraft was equipped with a Hornet radial engine of Pratt & Whitney origin but built by BMW (engine which later became the BMW 132). It was quickly realized that a star engine was not at all suitable for a dive bomber aircraft.
