Flying the 109...anyone?

[Professor Brensec]

I'm claustrophobic (only in situations when I know I can't get out).

If I became trapped in such a way, I'd be crazily clawing at the canopy, they'd have to cut me out or I'd do more damage than the Firemans tools and equipment...

[Professor Brensec]

Heretic wrote:

Rudel was his last name, Hans Ulrich his forename. He flew Ju-87 and was indeed very successful when it came to blowing up tanks.

Of course, the Ju87 with the 'undersling' cannon would certainly have been as effective (if not more) as the P400's 37mm.

I notice in CFS3 that one of the threats that you get when you don't achieve your objective is, "You'll end up flying Stukas on the Eastern Front".
Obviously, not a 'envied job' (although I don't think any job on the Eastern Front was envied after the end of 1941), nor do I think flying a Stuka anywhere was particularly envied either.
By all accounts, they served their great 'Blitzkrieg' purpose as close support 'aerial artillery' during the early years, but as soon as the control of the skies was lost, they were a very vulnerable plane, an any front.  :D

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

Whats a P400?

A.

[Hagar]

Whats a P400?

A.

I've been wondering that myself. The only P-400 I can think of is the export version of the original P-39 Airacobra. To the best of my knowledge this was never operated by the Luftwaffe.

As as a matter of interest I believe the P-39 has car-style doors on the side of the fuselage.

PS. Airacobra or Iron Dog? The Obscure Career of Bell's P-39 in the Soviet Union http://www.chuckhawks.com/airacobra_iron_dog.htm

The last major misconception about the P-39 is that it was an effective tank buster. In early August of 1944, while flying over a tank battle in Poland, Alexsandr Pokryshkin told the T-34 unit commander, "Our cannons will not penetrate tank armor." The Colt M4 had a muzzle velocity of only 600 meters per second and a low rating of 1.41 kilograms 'steel on target' per second. Theoretically, it could penetrate the armor of early panzer tanks, but only the top of the hull and turret. By comparison, the NS-37 37mm cannon had a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s and a steel on target rating of 3.06kg, enough to get through all but the Tiger's side or front armor. Also, instead of the M80 AP rounds that were required, the U.S. shipped the Soviets M54 high explosive shells, which were ineffective against tanks. Therefore, the P-39 was not used as a tank destroyer on the Eastern Front.

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

Hmmmmm.....
I would like to see large scale reproduction of the 109,
there is a place in Queensland who offers Spit kits but a 109 would be really great to see.

A.

[ATI_7500]

Of course, the Ju87 with the 'undersling' cannon would certainly have been as effective (if not more) as the P400's 37mm.

Enough for a T-34, probably not enough fo an IS-2

I notice in CFS3 that one of the threats that you get when you don't achieve your objective is, "You'll end up flying Stukas on the Eastern Front".

See the early days of the BoB. Do you want to fly a slow and weakly armoured aircraft into a battle like Kursk?

Obviously, not a 'envied job' (although I don't think any job on the Eastern Front was envied after the end of 1941), nor do I think flying a Stuka anywhere was particularly envied either.

See above. I'd have enjoyed driving some of the later german tanks on the eastern front, like the Panther or Tiger II. You were the king of the battlefield with them.
Oh,and riding 190s and 109s on the eastern front was an easy job,too.

By all accounts, they served their great 'Blitzkrieg' purpose as close support 'aerial artillery' during the early years, but as soon as the control of the skies was lost, they were a very vulnerable plane, an any front.  :D

Totally agreed. In the later days,they fortunately got replaced by 190s.

[Professor Brensec]

Sorry people. Wires totally crossed. To little sleep and too much reading.

I've been reading about the exported P39's (that Hagar mentions) and I've decided, in my dreams, that they were an alternative to the JU87 - FOR THE GERMANS. Why I have decided this, I'll never know.

Thanks for bringing me out of my 'halucination'.  ;D

[Woodlouse2002]

Could it be Brensec that you were thinking of the Hs129? Twin engined ground attack aircraft. Was fitted with a 37mm cannon for antitank work on the eastern front. There was even a version with a 75mm gun strapped to the bottom.

[Professor Brensec]

To be honest, mate, I have no idea what I was thinking. I know the Germans had a few planes that had decent sized cannon.

[Hagar]

[quote]Strange thing, the mind, especially when you have one like mine. Totally confused most of the time.

[Professor Brensec]

With age comes wisdom! But that's all that comes, everything else goes!...........

[jimclarke]

With age comes wisdom! But that's all that comes, everything else goes!...........

As you get older, your memory is the first thing that goes.  I can't remember what the second thing was.

Jim

[JerryO]

If, for some reason, he has to be a German Me-109-pilot, then I can

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

thanks, Jerry.

A.

[ATI_7500]

...we fought against the S*#"& Union yy. 1941-44...

Ahahah...no such words for the USSR,please.  ;)