Quote:
Originally Posted by Reiner
I am not aware that KG51 aircraft were destroyed by own SD2 bombs at the beginning of the Russian campaign. SD2s stuck in the Vemag 90 cannot explode because the fuze are not unlocked. Airplanes can land safely with filled Vemag . Take a look at the operating instructions for SD2 and Vemag 90. Rene
|
I believe the problem lay in that the SD2 could get stuck near the exit of the Vemag and when coming into land shook free under the aircraft and detonated as it taxied etc. There are also cases of Luftwaffe bombers getting caught up in the explosions of SD2 dropped by other bombers when the 41 fuze was set on airburst (Zeit).
The open Bf 109 rack for the SD2 was also precarious with cases of the SD2 getting stuck on them or simply falling off on landing.
Also, before the use of drop containers, the dispensing aircraft had to fly ridiculously low to drop the SD2 - also making it within SAA fire and light flak range - and some of the aircraft again got caught in the airburst explosions of SD2 dropped by other accompanying bombers.
There was a reason Luftwaffe armourers called the SD2s 'devil eggs'.