Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

Does anyone know the history and details of this 20mm cannon armament modification on the Bf 109?

Electrically primed ammunition--obviously--the motor mounted 20mm was mechanically primed, so that might have created confusion for poorly trained ground crews, but why wasn't this idea adopted?

Bronc

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

I have seen the photo, but not any actual information that I am aware of ( in English anyways).

Opinion only, but as a weapon platform( assuming firing problems addressed) I do think this would be superior to the two wing mg151's that saw service. The reason being a centreline should allow for firing from long ranges and be in sync with the propellor weapon.

The problem is it takes away the belly tank, affecting of course range and combat time. Assuming the platform functioned technically...I would think this was a big reason it wasnt adopted.

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

It would have been verty wise to delete the cowling Mgs altogether and standardize either that one underchin cannon or the two wing cannon. The MG 17s were basically useless and the MG 131 wasn't much better. A G-6 with MG 131 and bulged cowling vs . two wing cannon and no cowl guns and bulges wouldn't have differed much in performance, but the firepower difference would have been massive.

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

what is the source?

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

Bronc,

The Germans were not producing enough MG 151/20E , the version of the cannon using electrically primed ammunition and the production of the ammunition itself was also a problem. I assume all the available cannon were dedicated to Fw 190 production, though I have not looked at this issue directly.

Kind regards,

Dan

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

Photograph can also be found in Vogt´s new "Bf 109 Versuchs- und Erprobungsträger" book on p.400. Source is given as collection Philipp Hilt/Willy Radinger.
Basic version might be a Bf 109G-4

Regards
RolandF

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

Why was the fairing so large and aerodynamically awful?

Bronc

Re: Chin Mounted 20mm on the Bf 109
 

With the two MG 131s removed, retaining the motor mounted 20 mm and adding the belly 20 mm cannon, why not go with a couple of drop tanks on the wings?

The above set-up seems superior to every other solution.

Bronc