He111H-8 balloon cable-cutter

[obdl3945]

Hi...

Can anyone help with some information about what unit(s) used this variant, please? At www.luftarchiv.de under the heading 'sontiges gerät', then 'ballonabweiser', there is a photograph (you'll need to scroll down to the second of the He111 pics) showing a machine with what looks like a unit emblem under the canopy, although all that can be seen is a large, presumably white, shield. There is also a white/yellow(?) letter on the fuselage.

Years ago in the Airfix magazine, there was an article on how to convert an He111 to the cable-cutter version, and the well-known photo of the crash-landed 'aircraft Z' was shown. I seem to remember though, that there was also mention of KG27 using the H-8, and am curious to know if this was true. Of course, any additional information on this sub-type/unit(s) using it/markings would be much appreciated.

Thanks...

Paul

[David Ransome]

Hi,

Some info that I have (open to verified correction as usual!) All He111 H-8

3867 G1+AM 4./KG55 Lost w. of St. Ives, Cornwall 28.5.41 (Built as H-5)

3875 1G+?L 3./KG27 Damaged 1.10.41 during Ostfront sortie.

3944 1G+ZM 4./KG27 Crashed 22.5.41 - the one you mention.

3971 G1+MT 9./KG55 Crashed south of Birmingham 10.5.41 (Built as H-5)

Regards,

David

[obdl3945]

Hi, David...

Many thanks for your response. I did a little more searching about, and managed to find a photo of G1+MT at this link http://www.btinternet.com/~air_resea...55/p48g1mt.jpg , which came down at Fulford Hall Farm, south of Birmingham. I suspect it was a standard bomber variant after the fender assembly had been removed. Similarly, G1+?L on the Ostfront, I imagine.

G1+AM is cited as being intercepted whilst doing an armed reconnaissance over the Channel, so rather unlikely that it would've been doing that with a cable-cutter fender slowing it down !

So that really only leaves 1G+ZM, which is the subject of a couple of photos at www.historyofwar.org , one of which is a rather unusual head-on view. www.luftwarchiv.de also has a photo of a cable-cutter, attributed to KG54, and fitted with external bomb racks. Do you have anything on that unit at all, pehaps...?

Regards...

Paul

[David Ransome]

Hi Paul,

The H-8s were upgraded H-5s, as well as the ability to carry the cable cutter they had a lot of extra armour plating and the ETC mountings under the fuselage, as well as other less noticeable changes. 50 were ordered but only 30 produced. I have H-8s used by III./KG4, II./KG27 and KG55 - nothing on KG54 at present!

From comments made to me the balloon cutter worked very well but reduced the airspeed quite dramatically and altered the forward pitch and overall manouevrability making the aircraft an easier target, thus the increased armour. All of the cutter devices were eventually removed, many of the remaining aircraft were later used for towing purposes (H-8/R2).

I still have the Airfix mag with the article you mention!

Regards,

David

[obdl3945]

Hi, David...

Thanks again for your contribution. Were they actually cable-cutters used by these units, and if so, do you have aircraft codes/colour schemes/insignia to go with them, perhaps?

Would there be any chance you could provide me with a copy of the Airfix magazine article, please? If so, I'll drop you a PM with my e-mail address. Would be much appreciated.

Regards...

Paul

Originally Posted by David Ransome

Hi Paul,

The H-8s were upgraded H-5s, as well as the ability to carry the cable cutter they had a lot of extra armour plating and the ETC mountings under the fuselage, as well as other less noticeable changes. 50 were ordered but only 30 produced. I have H-8s used by III./KG4, II./KG27 and KG55 - nothing on KG54 at present!

From comments made to me the balloon cutter worked very well but reduced the airspeed quite dramatically and altered the forward pitch and overall manouevrability making the aircraft an easier target, thus the increased armour. All of the cutter devices were eventually removed, many of the remaining aircraft were later used for towing purposes (H-8/R2).

I still have the Airfix mag with the article you mention!

Regards,

David