The Heinkel He-51 was a development of the earlier HE-49. It was produced in three main versions: fighter, ground-attack version and seaplane. The He-51 was a conventional biplane fighter, with all-metal construction and fabric covering. First prototype, the He-49a, flew in November 1932. With longer fuselage and better engine it was ordered into production as the Heinkel He-51 for Luftwaffe in May 1933.
It was first used during Spanish Civil War in 1936. It was successful during operations against older biplane designs such as: Nieuport Ni-52, Brequet 19, Potez 54. This time of superiority was short lived, with the arrival of large numbers of modern aircraft from the Soviet Union, including Polikarpov I-15 and I-16.
After that the He-51 was withdrawn from fighter duty and relegated to the ground attack role by both the Legion Condor and the Spanish Nationalists.
While a failure as a fighter, the Heinkel proved successful as a ground attack aircraft, being used by the Luftwaffe in World War II. The HE-51 aircrafts were in use in front line service until 1938.
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