Flugzeugzerstörer

rammjaeger · 21 July 2007, 12:21 AM

Where was the above mentioned standard device - in fact an explosive for the destruction of the airplane after an emergency landing behind enemy lines - fixed in the German airplanes?
Was the Flugzeugzerstörer always fixed in the same position or was the position changing with the type if airplane?
Do drawings of German airplanes show the position of the explosives?

VBR
Rammjaeger

Sreiko · 21 July 2007, 01:53 AM

Very interesting topic! I have no answer for your question but from your question now I know why the matches was in the equipment of many pilots- to burn it's airplanes. Or to fire explosive.

rammjaeger · 21 July 2007, 05:47 AM

Sreiko,

right, Allied pilots needed matches but the German explosive device would work without the inreliable (if wet) matches.

The pilot German had to pull a plug and a clock work would ignite the explosive after 5 minutes. The device should be placed near the engine and it was adviced to cut a fuel line before pulling the plug.

Sreiko · 21 July 2007, 06:55 AM

Thanks for additional info

I have seen a lot of blue prints and work drawings [nothing from WW1] for this but I have never seen details like this, even no signal pistole. Engineer was focused on the main technical view of the construction. But place where details like this could be seen is the service manuals and there should be written instruction as well sketch for this.

Again I am not of help but hope that my experience in other field could be of idea where to search.

rammjaeger · 23 July 2007, 08:37 AM

I guess you are right, Sreiko!

Otherwise the master flight technicians would have overflooded me with their dicoveries on drawings etc.
Either the service manuals should show more information or the air crews did place the explosive device near the engine according to their own best ideas.