Me 210 Issue

[davparlr]

In watching a show on history of Messerschmitt, they showed a video of the opening of the bomb bay doors. When they opened , a linkage connected to the lower glass panel pulled the panel in and down, opening a big hole to the cockpit. I thought it may be for some ground maintenance access but it looks very firmly connected to the bomb bay door. Anybody have any idea what was the purpose of this operation?

 

[nuuumannn]

From a book I have on the aircraft, if it is what I think you are talking about, Dave, it's a piece of armour-plated glass and was mounted vertically when the aircraft was acting as a fighter to protect the pilot from head-on attacks. When the pilot is dropping his bombs he has a clear pane in the bomb bay so he can see below. I can only assume that the sheet of armoured glass folded flat for protection from ground fire.

 

[davparlr]

In watching a show on history of Messerschmitt, they showed a video of the opening of the bomb bay doors. When they opened , a linkage connected to the lower glass panel pulled the panel in and down, opening a big hole to the cockpit. I thought it may be for some ground maintenance access but it looks very firmly connected to the bomb bay door. Anybody have any idea what was the purpose of this operation?

After reviewing several times, there appears no glass remaining over the opening, ie., no reflection that was there before the retraction. Indeed the retracted glass does itself show the curvature of the fuselage and is mechanically connected to the bomb bay door. In the pictures, on the first one you can see reflections in the window, in the second there is no reflection. In the second picture, in the top left side of the bombay, you may be able to make out the physical connection from the door to the window, pulling the window back and down. You may also be able to see what appears to be the inside of the cockpit.

 

[Graeme]

Anybody have any idea what was the purpose of this operation?

I have no idea why - but I concur with your excellent observations.

I saw it unfold here...

(PS - I like your Venetians.)

 

[Graeme]

But doesn't occur in the 410?
Bays are up, but the glass remains closed - and no linkage?

 

[nuuumannn]

There is a linkage there Graeme, take a look to the left of the forward window there is a pushrod, it's possible that it's been disconnected, the picture isn't very clear.

Interesting observations guys and having seen the footage, that's not the piece of armoured glass I was talking about at all - weird. That looks like an aid to visibility during bombing at certain dive angles. The panel above it is clear. It's the only thing I can think of without consulting the manuals...

 

[Capt. Vick]

 

[davparlr]

I have no idea why - but I concur with your excellent observations.

I saw it unfold here...






(PS - I like your Venetians.)

Exactly where I saw it.

 

[elbmc1969]

It's not optically flat, so you can't look through it to bomb accurately.