World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
23 Sep 2016 03:21:51 PM

CLOSE UP: He 111

Fine photograph of an He 111. Aircraft was powered by 2 x Junkers Jumo 211F-2 liguid-cooled inline engines driving three bladed propellers.

FIELD OF VISION:

Crew members in photo, are pilot, bombardier, navigator and gunner. The He 111 had a fully glazed cockpit canopy with the pilot sitting on the port side (left) and the bombardier on the starboard side (right) who manned his 7.92mm machine gun, in a rotating mount.
The canopy was offset for better pilot vision, with the pilot's instruments clustered overhead.
For takeoff and landing, the pilot could raise his seat and was provided with a windshield that could be raised for better forward vision. Early models lacked any type of armor protection for the crew against fighters and flak. Later models were upgraded with armored glass and increased firepower, and carried 20mm cannon, 13mm machine gun and the twin mounted 7.92mm MG-81Z. If any body has more info post it here

2.  Bill says:
12 Oct 2016 01:46:21 PM

TO KILL A BOMBER:

File photo shows a weakness
of the He111, against enemy fighters. The crew had little protection against head on attacks. The He111's nose gave the crew a great view, but little forward protection.
Can you imagine what a one second burst of 160 .303 caliber rounds could do to the cockpit of the He111 in the above file photo?
During the Battle of Britain
the Hurricane went after the bombers, while the Spit went after the fighters. However, both RAF pilots would attack
any target of opportunity.

FIREPOWER: THAT ONE SECOND BURST

The Luftwaffe armed its bombers with handheld 7.92mm machine guns while some crews were able to armed themselves with a 20mm cannon mounted in the nose, against such head on attacks.
Both the Hurricane and Spit were armed w/8 x 303 machine guns giving the pilot 2400 rounds or about 15 seconds firing time.

LUCKY DAY: HITS & MISSES

There have been after action reports by RAF pilots that put hundreds of rounds into a bomber without it going down, or hitting anything vital.
On the other hand, a few lucky bursts sent a bomber down over the channel or English countryside.

3. TONY ANDERSON says:
27 Apr 2017 05:48:58 AM

With all due respect to Bill, this is a Daimler-Benz powered He111P not a He111H! Most likely a P2 series operated by KG55.