Details on Bf-110 of 7(H)/LG2 lost on August 2, 1942

[Nikita Egorov]

Gentlemen,

Who can advise details (w.n., tactical code, crew names and fates) of Bf-110 lost to Jagerbeschuss on August 2, 1942 in the vicinity of Golubinskaja?

TIA

[G.R.Morrison]

Bf 110D-4 WNr.2262 of 7.(H)/LG 2, coded L2+HR, Fw. Johann Pfahl (F), Oblt. Walter Köhler (B), and Uffz. Max Baier (Bf) MIA 2.August 1942 after enemy fighter attack.

GRM

[Nikita Egorov]

Thank you, GRM!

[G.R.Morrison]

You're welcome, of course. We help when we can. GRM

[Stig Jarlevik]

GRM

I have WNr 2262 listed as a C-5 (which was the basic recce-version of the C-model). Very few D-4 were built. Was this C-5 really converted to D-4?

Cheers
Stig

[Evgeny Velichko]

Sorry for a little off-topic, but:

Does 7(H)/LG2 emblem related somehow with A./88 (Legion Condor) emblem?

[G.R.Morrison]

D-4 or C-5?

Stig,

It's listed as a D-4, and browsing through our db, the D-4 Werknummern aren't sequential, but the C-5s seem to be (most serving with Aufklärungsstaffeln, but a couple with ZG 1).

The D-4s are "here and there" - several with schools (Aufklärer, Zerstörer and Nachtjagd), or a Nachtjagd unit (NJG 4, NJG 5), etc.

GRM

[Stig Jarlevik]

Well GRM

All I am doing is relying on published sources.
The most reliable of them is the one done by Mankau/Petrick.
WNr 2262 is listed by them as being built as a C-5

They don't list any D-4 built as such, but six D-1 being modified to D-4 (probably already on the production line), WNr 3149-3151 and 3163-3165.

Hence my question if this WNr listed by you as a D-4 was a later conversion of an original C-5.

My immediate reaction was how unusual to modify C-models to D-models, but then again perhaps it was not all that difficult? I am not a technical man myself and cannot visualize the amount of work involved with such a project.

Cheers
Stig

[Evgeny Velichko]

Stig:

Main difference of D from C was - ability of drag additional fuel tanks. For this, extra fuel tubes and lines were installed inside the wings. Also, additional fuel pumps were added to move a fuel between fuel tanks - from extra tanks to each of installed tanks.

Also, safeboat in long tail section (wich was easily could be replaced with short one) required wiring from gunner's canopy - a boat releace mechanism.

Last difference - tail wheel.

[Stig Jarlevik]

Thanks Evgeny

In other words does not sound too difficult....
But the point remains, did they?
Since 7(H)/LG 2 was a recce unit, why would they use an aircraft which was not equipped for reconnaissance at all?

Cheers
Stig