Heinkel He 51

Bilde: Wikimedia Commons

The He 51 biplane fighter-bomber of 1933 represented the biplane's swan song in German fighter development. Its broad 11-metre span and light weight enabled 330 km/h despite biplane drag, while the robust structure suited low-level attack roles. The 570-kilometre range sufficed for tactical harassment and close air support missions during the Spanish Civil War.