[Chris Goss]

FIXED REARWARDS FIRING GUNS FITTED TO THE DO 217 ("GIESSKANNE")

Several specimens of the long wing span Do 217, sub-series K, recently examined in Italy were fitted with fixed rearward firing rifle calibre machine guns mounted in the tail cone.
This armament consists of two pairs of MG81s i.e. four guns in all mounted side by side with a pair of muzzles protruding from each side of the tail cone.
The guns appear to be mounted in parallel but there may be very slight convergence.
An air bottle which is mounted above and to the rear of the guns is provided for cocking and the weapons are fired electrically by a press button in the pilot's control column. It is estimated that 200 rounds of ammunition are carried for each gun giving it a total of 600 rounds per container. The whole unit with ammunition is self-contained in the tail cone and can, if necessary, be jettisoned by the pilot.
A periscope is used for sighting which is an entirely new departure for the GAF. It is 26" long of which 10" project above the cockpit roof and is fitted just forward and to the right of the pilot's head. The image is presented inverted thus if the target is above the line of flight it appears below the centre of the graticule. If to port its appears on the right side of the graticule. This facilitates aiming as the pilot has only to move his controls in the direction of the image.
A.I.2(g)
15..11.43