Designed under Dipl.-Ing. Nicolaus as a 3-seat heavy Kampfzerstörer (fighter-bomber) as formulated in 1934 by the clandestine Luftwaffe.

First of 3 prototypes, Hs 124 V1 (V = Versuchsflugzeug, test aircraft) had a mock-up nose-turret and was first flown February 1936. Hs 124 V2 had an extensively glazed nose and used BMW-engines (license-built Pratt & Whitney Hornet). Hs 124 V3 was completed as a 2-seat heavy Zerstörer (fighter) with extra firing-power installed.

The Hs 124 proved to be very agile for its size and configuration, but before its first flight the heavy fighter-bomber concept was abandoned and the heavy fighter-role was to be fulfilled by the Messerschmitt Bf 110.

Hs 124 V1:
2 Junkers Jumo 210C 12-cylinder inverted-Vee liquid-cooled engines of 640 hp each with 3-blade propeller.

Hs 124 V2:
Engines: 850 hp BMW 132A 9 cylinder air-cooled radials with 3-blade propeller
Max. speed: 158 mph (255 kmh) at 9,843 ft (3,000m)
Range: 1,522 mls (2,450 km)
Weight: 9,370 lb (4,250 kg)
Max. T/O: 15,939 lb (7,230 kg)
Span: 59 ft 8.54 in (18.20 m)
Length: 47 ft 6.87 in (14.50 m)
Height: 12 ft 3.64 in (3.75 m)
Area: 587.7 sq.ft (54.60 sq.m)

Hs 124 V3:
2 BMW 132DC 9 cylinder air-cooled radial with 3-blade propeller.