Name of the device.

[Guest]

Hello!

Reference is made to the instruction plans for Revell´s Junkers Ju-87B Stuka (stock number 80-4620), and more specifically to step 25 which indicates that part No. 34 must be glued to the bottom of the model.

In the following pictures, part 34 appears as antenna-like extension that comes out from the bottom of the aircraft:





Does anybody out there know what is the name of this device and what was is used for in the real aircraft?

Your kind assistance will be very helpful for my research prior to building the model.

Regards,

[stona]

Good question! I should know but I'm not sure. I will endeavour to dig up the answer for you.

Cheers

Steve

[michaelm]

Mmmmm? Don't know what that is, could it be part of the bomb cradle? It swung down to throw the bomb clear of the prop. Interested in finding out myself, Steve will have the answer before long I'm sure. M

[Dave W]

I reckon it's some kind of antenna.

[Guest]

I reckon it's some kind of antenna.

Looks similar to the antenna thing that sticks out just behind and under the left wing of a JU88 ... the revel kit i made had one anyway ...

[Guest]

Whoa, hold the press, a Luftwaffe aircraft part and Steve doesn't know it!

I'm flabbergasted, (never been entirely sure do you gast your flabber or flabber your gast?)



Only kidding Steve, i'm just so used to your superb knowledge of German aircraft. :P

[stona]

I can tell you it's not anything to do with the bomb cradle. Unfortunately I didn't see the question whilst I was briefly at home this morning. It is an antenna,I have a reference to a "ventral antenna mast" being a change between the A and B series,but I don't know for what.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Is it possible that the device is some-sort of periscope?

[ATTACH]59153.vB[/ATTACH]

Here it is again...

Maybe some technical drawings/blueprints of the aircraft can help us find out what this device was used for. Any body out there has access to such drawings/blueprints?

Regards,

[ATTACH]60949.IPB[/ATTACH]

[michaelm]

Hi monte, I found a drawing with almost every part of this aircraft but sadly not this one. Every illustrated picture I find seems omit this device, but it's often seen in photographs? I too thought perhaps some sort of sight for the bomb, but that's purely a guess.

ill look some more, M

[stona]

It's an antenna. It must be associated with the improved FuG VIIa radio system installed on the "Bertha" but I'm not sure how.

Unfortunately I won't be home for a while. I'll probably have the answer then

Cheers

Steve

[flyjoe180]

All I could find was that some Ju87Bs were the only version to have the ventral aerial mast. Not all 'Berthas' were so equipped. Must be a certain version of radio equipment as Steve has suggested. I spent hours searching through the cutaways and through my own books to no avail.