What is this? (Luftwaffe im Focus 31)

[GrauGeist]

To me they seem permanently mounted

They do.

Plus, wing-mounted ordnance (including illumination devices) generally were dropped from a side-by-side arrangement to avoid collision when released.

 

[fubar57]

Possibly a Murmeltier-Frühwarnsystem ?

 

[Crimea_River]

As in deer whistles?

 

[Capt. Vick]

Could they be some form noise maker to keep opposing troops awake at night?

 

[J_P_C]

The X-Gerät antenna was mounted atop the fuselage length-wise and was supported by three masts, one at either end and one about a third of the length.

thank you for information - good comment

 

[vikingBerserker]

Infrared Sensors?

 

[Denniss]

Infrared Sensors?

interesting idea, may be useful to spot troop concentrations or plane was used to spot trains for an Eisenbahn attack staffel. Spot + Flashlight bomb + let the bombers do the rest

 

[Crimea_River]

I was thinking that too but why so many?

 

[GrauGeist]

Those don't look like IR sensors, especially by the tech standards in the mid-20th century.
Also, if they were IR sensors, the group of two in front would be blocking the two behind.

There was a really good thread about IR used during the war and Soren's post #119 has photos of IR equipped Luftwaffe aircraft:
Technology and Science from 1901 to 1945

 

[Wurger]

But the pic shoes that these front ones are off-set left while those back ones to the right.

 

[michaelmaltby]

capturing airflow data ...? Night flight safer than daylight - data for wing development .?

 

[GrauGeist]

But the pic shoes that these front ones are off-set left while those back ones to the right.

View attachment 649381

They are indeed offset to a degree, but note the two in front are blocking the one behind and between two front units.
If this was a system that used IR, that one element's range would be blocked.

Also, in your photo (nice zoom, by the way), note how the four heads have an annular opening and the spacing of the four devices appear to be taking advantage of airflow.

I'm still thinking they have something to do with meteorological data gathering.

 

[Wurger]

Oh now I grasp your idea of the bloking the IR. So you are right although it seems that the setting of these things was because of tracking of the verry narrow front range only.
I had to admit that the meteo sensors were my initial thought as well.

 

[Capt. Vick]

But if it was for meteorological data gathering, why have 8 of them?

 

[GrauGeist]

But if it was for meteorological data gathering, why have 8 of them?

Different control data at certain altitudes?

 

[GrauGeist]

I'm going to ask Erich what the heck this thing is...

 

[Crimea_River]

I miss Erich's posts. Hope he's well.

 

[GrauGeist]

I miss Erich's posts. Hope he's well.

He is still active on FB, most recently posting the fall colors from his Japanese Maples.

Which also reminds me of Charles, who had Japanese Maples as well.

 

[Maury Markowitz]

Looks like part of a radar

No radar I've ever seen. And lacking any microwave capability, they're too small to hold a dipole.

Unless I'm just seeing things, it appears the "nose cone" is smaller than the rest of the body of this device. That would suggest the dark ring is "open" to allow air in.

Smoke dispensers? Seems too small.

 

[GrauGeist]

Ok guys, I have a possible lead on those "mystery" devices.
It was suggested that these may be the guide-wire spools for air-to-ground missiles used for anti-shipping.

I'll post any updates as I get more info...