World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
3 Oct 2010 06:13:54 PM

Good photograph of the pilots cockpit, but
lacks armor for the head and back, and no
armored windscreen.
Later 57mm bullet resistant windscreen did
become standard on the F series, I'm sure
when the weapons were fired, area fills with
fumes.

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

German aircraft were well built machined and
finished. The Bf 110 was crewed by three,but
usually operated with two.
The radioman was eliminated, and the rear
gunner 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 not
maneuver with single-engine fighters, and
during the Battle of Btitain Bf 109's were
sent to escort the 110's and the bombers!

Later the Bf 110 was made into a excellent
nightfighter. The later Bf 110G models were
also 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 the
Fatherland many 110's were lost to fighters
and the bombers gunners, loaded down with its onboard radar and radar aerials, that
created 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 was
crewed by three men, but operated by a crew
of two the radioman being eliminated, and
the 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't
maneuverable.
During the Battle of Britain the Bf 109's
had to fly escort for both the bombers and
the Bf 110's.
However, if a single-engine fighter was caught by surprise, the Bf 110's armament of
4x7.92mm mchine guns and 2x20mm cannons were
able to knock it down.

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

DEPARTING THE PATTERN:

Looks like out Zerstorer pilot is enjoying himself
flying 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 Rules
IFR : Instrument Flight Rules

I thank the editor/ww2db for allowing me to add information to a non-descript photograph