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Aviation History
1943
1943 - 2195.PDF
SEPTEMBER O.TH) 1943 GRAVEYARD : Messerschmitt 109s and IIOS left derelict on one of the captured airfields. The Tunisian "Aero Mum Part II of ja Review of the Features of Axis Aircraft Types Captured in the North African Campaign IN iFLIGHT" of September 2nd, our contributor dealt with Axis transport types and gliders which fell into our hands during the Noht^^African battles. In this article he continues his description" of the machines found, describing the latest fighters, fighter-bombers, bombers and dive-bombers used by the Italians and Germans. IT is literally'frue 4o say thftfc certain areas of the Tudistricjywere.Jit'tered with tJte carcasses of Me 109F a:fighters and fighter-bombors. These types had beej^Tsed very. extensively, not ortv/in an effort to com fighter acticjn at all'-aj&ifcfaes froni sea-jkvej'^^p.o ft., but for: attacking gns^nd tapgetsjjfosr^ffy with cannon and machi various size's, from the 2 cased 50 arid 250 kg. The newest version of represented, was the G-6. of the Me Kx^jseries. It Is^powered with the DB 605 h.p. at 18,500ft. The modifications to the armament have obviously de- tracted from performance. The two synchronised guns over the engine (originally 7.9 mm. MG 17s) have been replaced by MG 13s or 13 mm (tin.) bore, the increased bulk of which has necessitated the fitting of prominent bulges on the engine cowling. These, together with the fairings on the top surface of the wing to accommodate the larger wheels (necessitated by the increase of all-up weight), must reduce substantially the 390 m.p.h. at 22,000ft. attained at full throttle by The most recent version of the Me 109,known as the G-6. It has a D.B.605 engine, and the fuselage guns have ahalf-inch bore. The external wing- cannon are 20 mm. M.G.151/2OS. Hied -odd jvels fire, anjj^vith bomls of the cleaner "Gs." Speed is further affected when the optional outjjdard guns (2x20 mm. MG 151/20s) are carried on their faired mountings beneath the wing, and when the carriers for 96 x 2 kg., 4 x 50 kg., or 1 x 250 kg. bombs are fitted. Nevertheless, this fast single-seater, with three 2Qj«tftft". and two 13 mm. guns in addition to a 500 lbJpifnb load, is an Army-support weapon to reckon with^^few special Me 109G.S were used for photographic Jnnaissance. For this purpose a camera was fitted in fuselage behind the cockpit. No additional armour-plate was fitted in ground-strafing e 109GS, but the pilot's 8 mm. head armour and 5-8 mm. >ack protection were installed, in addition to the laminated luralumin plate bulkheadof 20 mm. behind the fuel tank. In the later stages oi/the North African campaign, the ''Germans used the Fw 190 very extensively for ground- attack and army-co-operation work, and some interesting developments associated with the tactical employment of this aircraft were noted. For example, on near La. Sebala, there was new armour-pla*rfigd
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