Seeking ID of strange "cheese grater" device on below cockpit window of some 1940 He111s

[David Ransome]

Hi Chris,

The container in the second photo is actually associated with the MG15 in the nose. I can't scan at the moment but if you can find a Heinkel published sectional illustration of the A-Stand you will see a 'Bordtasche MG15' clearly illustrated.

Interestingly, when i carried out my own study of the H-20 at Hendon in the early 90s the flare cartridge container still had it's lid on, it seems to have been removed by the time Aerodetail got their photos. Sometime I'll maybe get round to publishing my photos of the internals of this H-20, and an H-16.

Also bear in mind that many drawings of the He111 cockpit are based on published photos and drawn by people who did not necessarily know what they were looking at. eg. Look at page 85 of the Aerodetail book (1997) H-1 cockpit layout illustration, and the long item above the wheel marked '27' then look at page 129 of Wings of the Luftwaffe (1993 paperback) item marked '112'. In the latter we are told that it is a 'seat raising pivot member and control conduit'. In fact it is a misinterpretation of a photo (probably of an early RAF captured example) and actually shows the pilot seat arm rest pivoted backwards. Item 80 in this picture is shown as flare storage but I'm pretty sure that if the photo used was the one that I'm thinking of it is again the MG15 associated item.

The Aerodata publication of 1979 isn't bad for the period but again the large cockpit illustration on page 229 should be seen as a representation and not necessarily technically accurate.

The Griehl book is by far one of the best books available on the He111 but should still be read in conjunction with others for the completer picture. Often Heinkel produced literature cannot be fully trusted, just as with other manufacturers. The pressures of wartime often meant delays in technical information reaching publication and sometimes never getting that far due to ongoing production line changes and operational requirements.

Incidentally, the fabric cover over the flare storage area would have 'pinked' zig-zag edges and was initially painted in the relevant camouflage colour for that area of the aircraft. This could make it 'invisble' to an external observer. As with wing mounted weaponry this cover would prevent dirt getting in and making it difficult to withdraw cartridges, the metal cover on the inside preventing airflow into the cockpit when cartridges were removed.

Regards,

David