"FW-190 Bomber Killer" Topic

This is one modification I've never seen before on an FW-190:

Wolfhag

I had to go and look it up and saw a few different configurations. Thanks for finding it. Apparently never used in combat?

I can't imagine the pilots in the FW would relish flying into the middle of a box formation to fire that off though.

The timing and positioning would have to be just right to work.

Me-163: Many other tactical issues faced the JG 400 pilots apart from the inherent chemical instability of the aircraft's propulsion system and its hypergolic fuel/oxidizer combination. It was found very difficult to aim and fire the guns accurately at such high approach speeds. A number of solutions were tried out, the most innovative being fitting a battery of eight 50mm mortars, firing upwards. The mortars were fired by a signal from a photocell in the upper surface of the aircraft.

When the Komet flew under the bomber, the shadow of the aircraft above triggered the photocell and the mortar rounds were fired. Research suggests this arrangement was only used once in combat, reportedly destroying a Royal Air Force (RAF) Handley Page Halifax bomber.

With a combined speed of over 450mph moving through a box of bombers at close range would make gunnery tracking almost impossible but a collision probable.

Wolfhag

This a German weapon called "Schragge Muzik", ususally used on night fighters. First time I hear it was used on a FW 90 though.

link