                        The BF110G-2/R5

The Bf110G-2/R5 was a late model of the relatively unsuccessful series of
heavy fighters that the Germans employed during the war. The Bf110 suffered
from the lack of maneuverability and not enough power throughout its
production. The later models suffered even more from more weight and drag
inducing devices and despite their uprated engines were marginal performers.

The Bf110G-2/R5 incorporated the changes previously introduced to the plane
by the R1, R2, R3 "rutzsatze" (field conversions). These introduced a larger
menthanol-water tank at the sacrifice of the radio operator's position between
the pilot and rear gunner. The extra weight penalized the Bf110 heavily.
The other changes included the use of the 37mm BK3,7 cannon, but its use
necessitated the elimination of the two MG151 20mm cannon in the nose of the
plane to house the ammunition for the BK3,7 suspended below the fuselage in a
wooden pod. The "Schraege Musik" was a peculiar weapon, in that it generally
was a pair of 20mm MG151 cannon fixed at an angle upward of about 70 to 80
degrees. This weapon employed a devastating munition round that had an
explosive charge and it could knock a four engine heavy bomber from the air
with a mere 3 hits.

The top speed of this plane was only 348 mph clean and thus was an easy prey
for most Allied fighters. The plane was defended by a rear gunner equipped
with twin MG81Z machine guns. The MG151 cannon were made an option on this
plane along with the BK3,7 cannon. That way you have the choice of the
standard armament of 2x Mk 108 30mm cannon and 2xMG151 cannon or the 2x Mk 108
30mm cannon and the BK3,7.  The center rack can also accomodate the RZ65
rocket pack with 10 rockets.

The P38 cockpit has been utilized as it is the only twin engined
prop-driven plane in SWOTL. The wings are from the Bf109 and are just to
make things look a little more believable when looking left or right from
the cockpit. You will have to  monitor your dash gauges for engine damage
and fires, since there are no engines to actually see on this conversion.
The B17 gun positions are utilized to get the rear gunner position and the
"Schraege Musik" to work. The tail gunner position has been modified to limit
side to side traverse and the gun will not depress below the horizontal
level plane. The top turret was used to make the "Schraege Muzik". The
turret has been fixed in the forward position and the weapon won't depress
beyond a set angle. However, in order to allow the weapon to work with the
autofire function I had to allow the weapon to elevate a few degrees
vertically. You will have to be perfectly lined up on your target and level
or the weapon probably won't fire. Also you will have to fly relatively
slowly under the target thus exposing yourself to enemy fire. This has to be
done in order to allow the weapon to fire sufficient rounds at a target in
order to destroy it. Passes below the target should be made between 200 to
500 feet below the target's altitude.

Keith Heitmann, GVXV90A

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