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Re: Seeking ID of strange "cheese grater" device on below cockpit window of some 1940 He111s
Hi,
Believe it or not this is the third time that i have tried to post this!
The unit is ablock perforated with circular holes, angled downwards , which held flare cartridges and was usually covered with lightweight doped fabric. On the iside it appeared as a metal case and lid, marked 'Leuchtpatronen'. Somewhere nearby would be a 'leuchtpistole', and a tube through which this would fire. I know that on one H-16 this tube was just in front of the bomb aimer position but I am sure that I've seen them alongside this position as well, to the right. I may be wrong but I'm sure that the cartridges wouldn't, or couldn't, be deliberately fired through the block.
On the H-16 there were three small 'leuchtpatronenkasten' at floor level under the secondary instrument panel. On the H-20 there was one slightly larger unit under the Tochterkompasse just in front of the navigators seat. On the H-20 the 'leuchtpistole' was positioned just in front of the case, possibly in the 'firing tube'.
I'm positive that there were variations, even with the same model type!
Regards,
David
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