Ju 52/3m g7e (MS)
Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e (auxiliary bomber)
From 1941 onward, the Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e was built. It was based on the Junkers Ju 52/3m g5e, but had a number of improvements: an autopilot, a larger starboard-side loading hatch, and a rearward extension of the upper part of the central engine. It was meant as a transport plane as the Ju-52 had become wholly incapable as a bomber. Yet it could be used as one if needed. The bombs were dropped from the cargo hold.
Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e (MS) This version was converted for Mine-sweeping duties.
Number converted: unknown Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e (MS)
Specifications Junkers Ju 52/3m g7e
Crew: three (two pilots, radio operator)
Length: 18.90 m (62 ft 0 in)
Wingspan: 29.25 m (95 ft 10 in)
Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 110.5 m² (1,190 ft²)
Empty weight: 6,510 kg (14,325 lb)
Loaded weight: 9,200 kg (20,270 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 10,990 kg (24,200 lb)
Powerplant: 3 × BMW 132T radial engines, 533 kW (715 hp) each
Maximum speed: 265 km/h (165 mph) at sea level
Cruise speed: 211 km/h (132 mph)
Range: 870 km (540 mi)
Service ceiling: 5,490 m (18,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 17 minutes to 3,050 m (10,000 ft)
Guns: 1 × 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine gun in a dorsal position and 2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine guns on the sides. On some aircraft there was an open position created in the cockpit's overhead glazing, to accomodate 1 × 0.312 inch (7,92 mm) MG 15 trainable rearward-firing gun.
Bombs: up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lb) of bombs (one source speaks of 455 kg max)
|
LeO 451
Specifications (LeO 451)
Crew: 4
Length: 17.17 m (56 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 22.52 m (73 ft 11 in)
Height: 5.24 m (17 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 66 m² (710 ft²)
Empty weight: 7,530 kg (16,600 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 11,398 kg (25,130 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Gnome-Rhône 14N -48/49 (or -38/39 or -46/47) 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 790 kW (1,060 hp) each
Fuel capacity: 3,235 l (855 US gal)
Performance
Maximum speed: 495 km/h[12] (260 knots, 300 mph) at 4,000 m (13,125 ft)
Cruise speed: 420 km/h (225 knots, 260 mph)
Range: 2900 km (1,565 nm, 1,800 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,530 ft)
Armament
Guns:
1x 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 cannon in dorsal turret, 120 rounds
1x 7.5 mm (0.295 in) MAC 1934 fixed forward-firing machine gun, 300 rounds
1x 7.5 mm MAC 1934 in "dustbin" retractable ventral turret, 500 rounds
Bombs: Up to 1568 kg (3,457 lb) of bombs in fuselage and wing root bomb bays
7x 200 kg bombs (actual bomb weight: 224 kg or 494 lb)
|
Li-2MT
There was some interest in using the Li-2 to sweep naval magnetic mines. The idea was to fit a ring around the aircraft, running from the nose, under the wings and under the rear fuselage and use it to generate a strong magnetic field that would trip the magnetic fuzes of the mines as the aircraft flew overhead. The same idea was explored elsewhere during the war -- the British modified the Vickers Wellington bomber to such a configuration, and used it with some success. Work on the "Li-2MT" AKA "PS-84-T" minesweeper went on in fits and starts through the war, lingering on into the late 1940s, but though at least two trials machines were flown, nothing came of the exercise.
|
Vickers Wellington DWI
The Vickers Wellington was called on to carry out many tasks in its versatile existence, but probably none more unusual that that which carried the DWI designation. This stood for Directional Wireless Installation, which was intentionally misleading; the role of these converted Wellington Mk Is was to find and explode the German magnetic mines that were a considerable danger to Allied shipping from the outset of World War II.
The first Wellington DWI Mk I, P2518, was flown in December 1939, having its turrets replaced by fairings and carrying a 48ft diameter circular coil made from aluminium alloy strip. This was energised by a current generated by an internally mounted Ford V8 car engine, and when successful caused the mine to explode after the aircraft had overflown it. P5218 was issued to No.l GRU (General Reconnaissance Unit) and carried out its first successful operation from Manston on 8 January 1940. Three further Wellington DWI Mk I conversions (Vickers type 418) were carried out, and all four were later upgraded to Wellington DWI Mk II standard (type 419) with the installation of a DH Gypsy Six engine to provide more generating capacity. Sweeps were generally carried out by a formation of three DWI aircraft, and on 10 May 1940 this technique was used to enable a safe naval evacuation by the Dutch Royal family. Shortly after this No.l GRU was posted to the Middle East. No.l GRU were there based at Ismalia, with their operations carried out over Alexandria harbour, and in particular the Suez Canal, and as the Allied armies advances along the coast the harbours of Tobruk and Benghazi. At least eleven further conversions to Wellington DWI Mk II standard were made, one of these being L4374, built at Weybridge in July 1939 as a Mk I. Others were converted in the field in the Middle East.
Wellington Mk.I Specifications
General
Type: Medium bomber
Crew: 6
Engine
2 x Bristol Pegasus Mk.XVIII | 1050 hp | Pistons
Dimensions/Masses
Length: 19.68 m | Width: 26.26 m | Height: 5.33 m
Weight: 8417 kg | Max. Combat Weight: 12927 kg
Performances
Max. Speed: 378 km/h | Ceiling: 5486 m | Range: 2905 km
Armament
MG: 8 x .303 in (7.7 mm) Browning MG
Bombs: 2041 kg of bombs (inside)
|
Regards,
Piotrek |
|
|
Author
Topic: Ju 52/3m g7e(MS),Li-2MT, LeO 451,Vickers Wellington DWI - Minesweeping Aircraft (Read 11633 times)
