Real purpose of grille/deflector on Fw 58 bottom fuselage?

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

Hello all,

Trying to better identify some details of the Fw 58 Weihe, I have seen on several photos this protective grille or deflector on B models. There are no information about this in the books/magazines I have. I remember a certain time to read an explanation on this device, it´s purpose being to transport and drop a life raft on rescue flights. I really can´t agree with this!

The B models where at first used for bombing practice and they could carry a few bombs. My best guess this device was a protective grille/deflector to protect the generator from falling bombs.

This image - croped from a nice photo sent by Horst Kube - shows well the bomb bay doors (A), generator (C) and the grille (B). This device was not moveable and is shown on this same position on all photos. It was used on some Weihes in Brazilian Navy too

I´d like to hear from other researchers a confirmation from my "theory" or any correction.

Thanks in advance!


http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...58TheThing.jpg.