Hello, I am looking for info concerning the action and use of Ju 52 planes with anti-magnetic ring at the Belgian coast. Foto, Ju 52 at Ostend regards, Cnock
I'm not sure exactly what info you're looking for. As you probably know, it was a device to explode magnetic mines. I believe the RAF had a similar contraption. IIRC, they didn't work all that well. If I was flying that plane I'd be worried it would work, explode the mine and take me with it!
One of the units to operate these aircraft was MSGr.1 ( Minensuchgruppe 1 ) - if you Google it, you'll find some of the info you require.
Hello Martin, thanks, but it appears the unit I am searching for was already in 1941 at the Belgian Coast, 1st Minnesuchgruppe starts only in 1942 and nothing refers to Blegian coast greetings, Cnock
Doesn't sound like a fun gig at all, I imagine that ring would degrade aerodynamics, especially critical during an attack from enemy fighters. Flying at sea level to perform the anti-mine task also means you don't have the option to dive away if you get attacked. A very tough duty. From what I understand the aircraft had to be able to cruise above a certain speed to bypass the explosion. Since the detonation occurred underwater, it bought a half second for the plane to evade the rising plume of water. Ships of the day had anti-magnetic, "degaussing" technology to reduce their magnetic footprint and reduce the chance of a mine going off near them. From my understanding, these planes were trying to do the exact opposite of this. By creating a large magnetic field the goal was to trigger the mines. Am I correct in thinking the ring would be a "magnetic field generator" or something similar? This leaves me mildly confused as this device and other devices intented to increase/create magnetic fields are also called degaussers. Or possibly a "degausser" is just a device to manipulate magnetic field in general, and encompassed both decreasing an increasing magnetism?