World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
3 Oct 2010 06:13:54 PM

Good photograph of the pilots cockpit, butlacks armor for the head and back, and noarmored windscreen.Later 57mm bullet resistant windscreen didbecome standard on the F series, I'm surewhen the weapons were fired, area fills withfumes.

2.  Bill says:
11 Oct 2010 01:13:42 PM

German aircraft were well built machined andfinished. The Bf 110 was crewed by three,butusually operated with two.The radioman was eliminated, and the reargunner doubled as radio operator/gunner. I can imagine when the pilot fires his guns,the cockpit fills with cordite.The Bf 110 was armed w/two 20mm cannons and four 7.92mm machine guns. It could notmaneuver with single-engine fighters, andduring the Battle of Btitain Bf 109's weresent to escort the 110's and the bombers! Later the Bf 110 was made into a excellentnightfighter. The later Bf 110G models werealso armed with 30mm cannons with 135 rpg,along with the 20mm weapons as well. The 110 also doubled as a day fighter as well, against the USAAF raids over theFatherland many 110's were lost to fightersand the bombers gunners, loaded down with its onboard radar and radar aerials, thatcreated drag, against the fighters it was an easy target.

3.  Bill says:
11 Oct 2010 01:27:00 PM

The Bf 110 was well made and finished it wascrewed by three men, but operated by a crewof two the radioman being eliminated, andthe rear gunner doubled as radio operator. The pilots cockpit must have filled with cordite fumes, when he fired the nose guns.Against single-engined fighters, it wasn'tmaneuverable.During the Battle of Britain the Bf 109'shad to fly escort for both the bombers andthe Bf 110's.However, if a single-engine fighter was caught by surprise, the Bf 110's armament of4x7.92mm mchine guns and 2x20mm cannons wereable to knock it down.

4.  Bill says:
12 Jun 2015 02:18:59 PM

DEPARTING THE PATTERN: Looks like out Zerstorer pilot is enjoying himselfflying VFR over the Fatherland, or is he looking over his shoulder ready to tell his crewmen he's not IFR qualified.The Bf110 was at first crewed by three the pilot, radio operator and gunner, the radio operator was deleted. Photo shows this could be an early 110C/D model lacked armor protection for the windshield, headrest, shoulder armor for the pilot or gunners station. Later Bf 110C-4s had added armor protection for the crew. FLIGHT SUIT: Pilot has been issued the light weight summer flight suit w/LKp S101 helmet and M295 goggles not shown. Other flying kit issued parachute, gloves, boots, watch and compass.Most crews wore a scarf some non-regulation for personal comfort and to prevent chafing. Crews were also issued semi-automatic pistols for self-protection. VFR: Visual Flight RulesIFR : Instrument Flight Rules I thank the editor/ww2db for allowing me to add information to a non-descript photograph