What of the Me 410?

[CharlesBronson]

A 50 mm gun armed Me-410B-2 inspected by russian pilots.



Eduard Tratt managed to shoot down 5 P-38 while flying the Me-410A-1

[vanir]

I heard the 410 was at its core an attempt to recover from the failure of the 210 as a replacement for the 110. Apparently the 210 was unstable suffered design flaws. But the 410 did well in Hungarian service.

I agree the Fw 187 should've been put into service, it fit the specification of a long range fighter that Willy Messerschmitt never believed in and comfortably outperformed the 109B-D of the day.

The 410 certainly looks good though, do they come in a nice electric blue?

[Udet]

Have you noticed the nose of the present day USAF A-10 is kind of similar to that of the Me 410? Coincidence?


Mr. Charles Bronson certainly brought up an interesting issue: Eduard Tratt shot down 5 P-38´s in combat. This could add strenght to my view the Me 410 was a capable fighter, and not the "dunkin´ donut and coffee" depitced by the allied ghoulies.

Sadly, I could not recall nor find the name of a noted USAAF ace who got shot down and killed by a Me 410.

You know, you can easily find the kind of typical interview of some USAAF or RAF ace, the old man with a HUGE smile on his face -perhaps one more of relief to recall his days as flier and continue realizing he did not die during the war- telling the interviewer:

"I never ever saw a Me 410, because those of my group who went ahead surely wiped them all out".

As I said on this thread, the few articles, books and webpages focused on the Me 410 are wanting. Perhaps it is a plane that has nothing much to be discussed about.

[Erich]

going back a posting or two, it should read for the July 2, 44 missions II./ZG 1 as it had Bf 110G-2's with the rocket launchers and 4 2cm cannon fitted not I./ZG 1 which was fitted with JU 88C's and by later 44 had left it's pilot,crew personell to trade in for Fw 190A's.

The Pic by CB shows a 410 that was used against Soviet armor and MT in the ground support role as the 5cm Bk weapon no longer used agasint US heavies....

[CharlesBronson]

Originally Posted by Erich

going back a posting or two, it should read for the July 2, 44 missions II./ZG 1 as it had Bf 110G-2's with the rocket launchers and 4 2cm cannon fitted.

Some Me-410B used a rotative 210mm, 7 shooter, gatling-like rocket launcher in the front bomb bay.



In fact the Me-410 used every weapon in the Luftwaffe arsenal, but the BK-7,5.

[Erich]

the rotating rocket launcher was a complete failure and enver used in action. It actually tore the nose right off the a/c during testing.

If anything was the multi-useage of different 2cm setups sometimes with the noted watering can idea of 8 forward firing 2cm's plus the twin Br 21cm rocket set-ups under each wing.

II./ZG 26 was first set up with the Me 410A in the bomber interceptor role in October 1943 followed by I gruppe. III./ZG 26 was basically decimated twice over flying the Bf 110G-2's. ZG 76 was later to have the Me 410's especially during the later part of 44 on the Ost front firing Bk 5cm weapons and the Mk 103 3cm against Soviet vehicles, armor and positions

[cheddar cheese]

Originally Posted by CharlesBronson

Some Me-410B used a rotative 210mm, 7 shooter, gatling-like rocket launcher in the front bomb bay.



In fact the Me-410 used every weapon in the Luftwaffe arsenal, but the BK-7,5.

Woah...!

[Jabberwocky]

Its the .357 Magnum Express of the aviation world**

Now, you have to ask yourself one question.
Do you feel luck, punk? Well, do 'ya?



































**i.e. Too big, too heavy and no use at all :P

[plan_D]

[CharlesBronson]

the rotating rocket launcher was a complete failure and enver used in action. It actually tore the nose right off the a/c during testing.

I ve read that the problem with that mounting was in moment of shooting it, the enormous rocket blast and flash blinded the pilot, and burn in some degree the dural estructure of the aircraft s nose.

Aniway it probably was no too accurate.

[Erich]

the rotating carriage at it's point of connection in the front literally dissolved/snapped and jammed up the rotating mechanism causing the unit to be unable to fire and destroying the nose, tearing it off/cracking the supports. Would of been suicidal in combat with an operative crew at this tender stage......

see you guys in a couple days

E ~

[CharlesBronson]

Aha...copy that.

Some pics of the Me-410B-2/U-2 wich installed 4 x 20 Mg-151 in the bomb bay in support of the 2 fixed Mauser in the nose.



Loading the rockets.



Closer look to the cannons.

[cheddar cheese]

Nice pics!

[CharlesBronson]

Me-410 B-2 R-2, note the twin 30 mm MK-103 and the telescopic gunsight used to engaged the bombers at relative long distances, in adition it carry the normal 2 x Mg-151 and 2 x 7,92 mm machineguns.....now that is firepower..



Some profiles ( I hope dont get battered by Erich )

[Erich]

CB there is debate with the idea that these later war 410's engaged Soviet ground targets, there was no reason to fly with Mk 103's as bomber killers as they were not exceptionally good, but in the anti-tank role, the Hs 129 proved itself repeatedly with the 3cm Mk 103