Bf 110 Signal Pistol Storage

[Chris Goss]

Bit of a strange request but I am sure Maestro Vasco will know but where would the flare pistol be stored in a Bf 110 and who would usually/normally operate it?

[George Hopp]

Sorry that it's not John responding, but I also have a vague understanding of the Bf110. All Bf110F/G Manuals, Part 0 (General info) agree that the "flare pistol, its ammunition, and gas masks are all installed in the observer's cockpit."

[carlmu]

For those who might not have seen the flare pistol I attach a photo taken some weeks ago. You will also see remains of a MG 17 and the pilot's dagger, which belonged to Erich Groth. With his Bordfunker Herbert Muche the crashed their Bf 110 E-1, M8+KC August 12 1941 in Fødalen in Ål, Norway.
Marry Christmas from Oslo!
Carl

[Chris Goss]

Thanks George. Does anyone have a schematic/photo as to where it would have been stowed?

[Dan Gilberti]

From Bf 110 analysis
no draw for moment
Bsrg, Dan

[George Hopp]

I have yet to find a photo or drawing of the internal stowage location for the flare gun, but the firing port is as shown in this photo from "Walk Around. Messerschmitt Bf 110G. No. 24" page 26.

Attachment 4041

Hope this helps, and Merry Christmas.
George

[Andy Saunders]

Chris

You need to also consider that apart from any on-board flare pistol (I think there was sometimes more than one, anyway) there was also another stowed in an equipment tin contained within the dinghy pack. The tin contained rations, rum and various other bits of survival kit. So, the specific item you are interested in could have been souvenired from there or the cockpit on that particular 110 I would imagine. However, the dinghy pack example might have been rather less accessible!

[Chris Goss]

Thanks Andy-didn't get away then? I had considered that but looking at the wear on the pistol, it appears to have been in regular use thus accessible as opposed to unaccessible in a dinghy pack

[Andy Saunders]

Chris

Yes...despite the best efforts of Eurotunnel we finally got to the Alps three days late! Skiiing good. Travel less so.

You are probably right about the signal pistol. I suspect the dinghy pack example would have not been regularly used, if at all. My money would certainly be on it having come from the cockpit. A pity I don't any longer have a trail back to the original source!

[junker]

I think it was 4 flare guns in a Me 110. One in the the pilots leg pocket(kanalhose),one in the cockpit flare gun barrel(flare gun holder),one in the "Notsignalbehalter" in the rubber survival boat and one dobble barrel luftwaffe flare gun and code signal flare cartidges (ESN patronen) in the radio operator,s lether case.The radio operator got new ESN cardidges every day,before mission,the code in the cartidge told other aircraft or ground control that you are a friend if the radio systems was dead.

Regards from Norway