Author Topic: FW190 A-8 Question (Read 617 times)

Vipermann · « **on:** September 15, 2003, 10:08:50 AM »

Were the wing mounted 20 and/or 30mm cannons on the A-8 in the wing or were they pods carried under the wing?

ra · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2003, 10:16:35 AM »

20mm were in the wing, but pods of 2x20mm could also be carried. I think all 30mm were in pods.

ra

HoHun · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2003, 12:53:23 PM »

Hi Vipermann,

>Were the wing mounted 20 and/or 30mm cannons on the A-8 in the wing or were they pods carried under the wing?

Most Fw 190A aircraft built could mount 4 x 20 mm cannon in the wings. Early on, the wing root cannon were MG 151/20 and the outer wing cannon MG FF, later the MG FF were replaced by MG 151/20.

Experimentally, both outer wing cannon were replaced by underwing pods with 2 x MG 151/20 each, but this had too much impact on performance to be tactically sensible.

30 mm cannon used with the Fw 190A were the MK103 and the MK108.

The high-velocity MK103 was carried in underwing pods. In addition to the impact on performance, the MK103 had a low rate of fire, making it tactically inferior to the MK108.

The low-velocity, high rate of fire MK108 could be mounted in the outer wings, and it was used extensively. Some A-8 and A-9 aircraft carried considerable extra armour along with the 30 mm cannon, others didn't.

Regards,

Henning (HoHun)

Staga · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2003, 01:00:44 PM »

Both MG151/20 and MK108 were inside the wing but it could also carry pods with more cannons.
30mm MK108 was smaller gun than MG151/20:
MK108 lenght 105cm/60kg
MG151 lenght 177cm/42kg

Vipermann · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2003, 01:09:51 PM »

Thanks very much for the input. I'm building a Model 190 A-8 and it includes pod mounted cannon. In looking over the pictures I have of A-8's as well as the AH version I didn't see any with the pods.

I was thinking it may be a mistake and was ready to drill the wings and do my own cannons but it sounds like it may be fairly accurate.

FUNKED1 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2003, 01:10:05 PM »

I've seen pics of one with MK108 pods FWIW.

MiloMorai · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2003, 01:37:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by HoHun

The high-velocity MK103 was carried in underwing pods. In addition to the impact on performance, the MK103 had a low rate of fire, making it tactically inferior to the MK108.

Any idea on how many of the /R3 were put into use?

Kaz · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2003, 03:52:07 PM »

190A8 with MK103 gun pods

Kweassa · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2003, 08:32:39 PM »

Were the MK103 pods ever used in actual combat? I seem to recall it was an experimental type of armament which never saw actual service.

Tony Williams · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2003, 08:33:05 AM »

There seems to be some dispute about the number of Fw 190s fitted with MK 103 pods, and whether or not any of them saw action. I'm no expert, but as far as I can judge the installation was judged unsatisfactory and didn't get past service test stage.

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