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Optically guided weapons - WWII

• Message 1.Μύ

  Posted by Larrythe (U1768826) on Monday, 8th August 2005

  Optically guided weapons
  
  During WWII huge numbers of bomber aircraft were lost
  over Germany, and searchlights were a significant part
  of the German defences.
  
  Photoelectric cells were being used in astronomy early
  in the 20th century, so by WWII their characteristics
  and applications were well understood. A searchlight is
  an intensely bright target which cannot be switched off
  while attacking aircraft.
  
  From the operating height of bombers – something over
  20,000 feet - a streamlined object would reach very high
  speed and even without an explosive warhead, such a
  weapon would probably destroy a searchlight.
  
  Were any experiments and/or trials of photo-cell guided
  weapons ever carried out.?
  
  I have carried out extensive searches but have never
  found any reference to such guidance for any weapon back
  in the 1940s.
  
  Larrythe

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Monday, 8th August 2005

  I'm working from memory here, so this may not be correct, but I believe that the Me163 (Komet) was fitted with photo cells to fire its guns as its approach speed was too great for human reactions to cope with.
  
  As far as I know this was the only application in WW2.
  
  Cheers AA.

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by JimdalftheTorquoise (U1823373) on Tuesday, 9th August 2005

  I doubt photoguided a weapon existed during that era as the Japanese would definately have used this technology instead of their famous Kamakazi suicide pilots
  
  This is the kind of technology used today in the TOW weapons system, right??? Or have I got the wrong end of the stick...

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by Bishwarrior (U1759943) on Tuesday, 9th August 2005

  AA, are you referring here to guns fired by a shadow passing over a censor, if so than the Germans did use these. However, i've never read about them being used on the 163. When it made its attack, it did so un-powered. The speed was not so great that the pilot was unable to fire.
  
  What you may be referring to is the 'schrage musik' system. This was fitted to certain twin engined German nightfighters, such the the Ju-88 and Me-110. The guns were mounted in the top of the fuselage, facing upwards and slightly forward. The nightfighter would pass under a bomber, such as a Lancaster, and as the bombers shadow hit the censor, the guns fired blasting into the belly of the bomber.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Tuesday, 9th August 2005

  Yes I am, thanks Bishwarrior. Guilty as charged for my appalling memory. Slap on the wrist, must check facts.
  
  Thanks AA.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Bishwarrior (U1759943) on Tuesday, 9th August 2005

  Well, funny you should say that. I been doing some double checking since i made that post. I checked a couple of books, including warplanes of the Luftwaffe which has every plane the Germans used in it. While it mentions that weapon system, it doesn't mention the light censor. One reference mentions the pilot useing a sight in the roof of his cockpit. But i know i have heard of these light activated guns somewhere, if not in relation to this weapon system than to something else.
  
  Well, guess it will give me something to do tommorrow.

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Steelers708 (U1831340) on Wednesday, 10th August 2005

  The weapon you are referring to is the SG500 Jagdfaust, which was a thin cased 50mm high explosive rocket-propelled shell.
  
  This was placed in a vertical tube and was fired by means of light sensitive cells which were fitted to the forward section of the wing and were activated by the shadow of the enemy plane, the amplifier for the cells was housed in the fuselage itself and the cells were activated by a button on the planes control column. Five tubes were installed in each wing about 30inches from the fuselage, and protruded about an inch from the wing surface.
  
  The weapon was to late to see mass service but Lt Fritz Kelb who led the test program is credited with destroying a B-17 Flying Fortress using the SG500.

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Bishwarrior (U1759943) on Thursday, 11th August 2005

  The weapon you are referring to is the SG500 Jagdfaust, which was a thin cased 50mm high explosive rocket-propelled shell.
  
  
  .Μύ
  
  What aircraft was this fitted into

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by Bishwarrior (U1759943) on Thursday, 11th August 2005

  Thats ok, just found it. My apologises AA, you were right, it was the Me 163. Just found a web page about it.

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by arnaldalmaric (U1756653) on Sunday, 14th August 2005

  Bishwarrior, don't apologise for challenging me, that's how revisionism starts!
  
  Take Care AA.
  
  I'm just glad that my memory somehow isn't as bad as what were we talking about? Yes the Hellfish, I led that squad in WW2
  
  

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