Close encounter over Europe

When you have something the size of a BK5 then show it off! just coincidence maybe but the Me410 in Wanshans second photo carries the same code as the Me410 at Cosford, 3U+CC a ZG26 bird.
Not sure if this is an A1/U4 or a B2/U4 which I would have expected by 1944…

Saw this photo a while back and again where it ws used as a cover for an addition of “Last flight of the Luftwaffe”.

Had a quick look for in-flight photos of this variant but without any luck so far. What i did come across was photos of the aircraft with rings around the barrell of the gun , in much the same style as you would see on the gun barrell of a Panther or Tiger Tank. Has anyone seen this elsewhere , i thought they marked their kills with small bars on the tail ?

This photo was taken by Victor LaBruno during the 388th’s famous mission to Brux, Czechoslovakia on the 12th of May 1944.
LaBruno apparently “fought off the challenge” of the Radio Operator.

Thanks for the info Skipper, what was the final outcome of the ‘meeting’?

Guessed I was talking tosh

What a great looking aeroplane!!

thanks Wanshan

Baz

Sometimes the undercarriage decides not to cooperate – remember the La-9 at Legends? Mains retracted the tail wheel decided not to.

I wonder if the 410 might be hit as looking at the photo, the tailwheel doors are open and the wheel is partially out. (hydraulics?)

Any Me410 experts out there?

Baz

Don’t think it is supposed to hang out…

… but the photographic evidence is inconclusive!

Quite a well known pic, but no less interesting.

The details of which I have no idea, but I think that’s a Messerschmitt Me410 in the shot.

Me 410 A-1/U4 version, equipped with a Bordkanone series 50 mm (2 in) BK-5 cannon.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_410

I remember seeing that pic for the first time way back in the 60s. It is a very impressive shot with the Me410 turning away after a firing pass. That hole in the B17’s wing looks like it came from below.

I read it as “Ju88 our crew killed”, explaining the pic, and “total crew kill 22”, referring to the claims of the crew members

Well, so far for aircraft recognition … :diablo:

I wonder if the 410 might be hit as looking at the photo, the tailwheel doors are open and the wheel is partially out. (hydraulics?)

Just a guess, but centrifugal forces maybe? I believe a similar phenomenon appeared on Spitfires with retractable tail wheels when flown in tight manoeuvres.

:)So the writing was a case of misidentification then.If they refer to that as a Ju88 and at probably the heat of the moment and several hundred miles an hour being chucked around who am i to argue.:)

This photo was taken by Victor LaBruno during the 388th’s famous mission to Brux, Czechoslovakia on the 12th of May 1944.
LaBruno apparently “fought off the challenge” of the Radio Operator, Joseph A. DeSantis and his 50 cal, to get the photographic shot through the open hatch of the Radio Room.
Their ship was S/N 42-97184, “Lady Godiva” of the 562nd BS, piloted by Manuel Head.

I wonder if the 410 might be hit as looking at the photo, the tailwheel doors are open and the wheel is partially out. (hydraulics?)

Any Me410 experts out there?

Baz

🙂 WOW ,what a photo,what was meant by the writing,total crew kill?

I read it as “Ju88 our crew killed”, explaining the pic, and “total crew kill 22”, referring to the claims of the crew members.

OP

🙂 WOW ,what a photo,what was meant by the writing,total crew kill?

The wing damage looks as though it has been caused by something (flak?) puncturing it from below, rather than being caused by the ‘410. I’d have thought a round from a BK5 would also cause much greater damage, although perhaps the round has passed through without detonating. The ‘H in a sqaure’ marking on the wing suggests the B17 was from the 388th BG.

A remarkable picture in many ways…

It’s the fisrt time I’ve seen the pic, though a quick search on the Wiki Me 410 page shows the same photo.
It is absolutely fascinating and must be fairly unique for showing an attack by a 410 A1/U4 armed with the 50mm BK5 cannon.

The other thing that has gone through my mind after the machinery bit, is what the hell must that have felt like to be sat in that B-17 taking a picture of your potent enemy after he has made an attack run at you (notice wing damge), and the chance that he is going to close in on you again to finish you off. I shudder to think of the possible fate of that crew

Quite a well known pic, but no less interesting.

The details of which I have no idea, but I think that’s a Messerschmitt Me410 in the shot.