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Old 13th August 2007, 04:47
ArtieBob ArtieBob is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sharps Chapel, TN USA
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Re: Me 109 and cannon trough prop-shaft

IMHO, your problem in understanding is that the gun is not "inside" the engine. The breech mounting was aft of the engine crankcase and cylinder with the barrel and blast tube run between the cylinder bank vee. In the late Bf 109s, I believe the breech of some weapons extended into the cockpit to the point that rudder movement was impeded. The engine has a reduction gear which offsets the propeller centerline vertically from the crankshaft. The prop shaft is hollow and sealed so the gun is isolated from the engine internals, fluids, etc. If you look closely at the H-S drawings, I believe you can make out these features. Of course the DB engines were inverted vees, but the concepts are similar.

Best regards,

Artie Bob

Last edited by ArtieBob; 13th August 2007 at 04:48. Reason: missing words
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