Looking at the history, it turns out that while the Bf110 had 180 rounds of ammo, these were actually 3 60 round drums. When a drum ran out the rear gunner had to change it.

Anyone any idea how long this took, and whether the pilot had to fly in a certain was - eg straight and level maybe - to let this be done?

ARGHHH - its ME110 not Bf. Given the weight of 60 20mm rounds I suspect the aiorcraft would have to fly in a fairly steadt way for the change, Also I'm a tad confused - 2 x 20m with 3 spare drums ?

Think that should be 3 drums per gun! Sorry. Or possibly 1 drum served both? Unlikely?

QuoteME110 not Bf

Are you sure?
RAF Museum - Bf110

Yep - the factory became Willys after Bf109, ME110 is the first so designated.

The 110 was developed and produced initially before the 1938 change of the company's name to Messerschmidt AG.
Willy however was a shareholder of Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG as well as the designer and he called it an Me 110 c1936 on its first flight. The RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) - Air Ministry - called it a Bf 110 in accordance with their naming system.
BFW continued to call it the Me 110 in their documentation and advertising such as Der Adler.
When the BFW became Messerschmidt AG, the official RLM designation changed from BFW Bf 110 to Messerschmidt Bf 110. (But everyone else kept calling it the Me 110).


Edit: Sorry; no idea about the time to change a drum of 20mm cannon ammunition.

QuoteEdit: Sorry; no idea about the time to change a drum of 20mm cannon ammunition.

At least you remembered what the thread was about!

This is only really relevant if you are going to record how many seconds the Pilot pulls the trigger for, and thus the number of rounds fired. Surely a more simpler and abstract way could be found , eg just reduce the rate of fire slightly to allow the change of drum.

Its a thought. Not sure how it would work though. The thing here is the 110 has to fly straight and level for a period of time, with no ammo. Dogfighting is very much something could happen at any moment - down periods make a difference.

It's tempting to leave them out - which I can do while resolving this - but they were a part of the action. Technically their kill/loss rate is better than the 109.

There kill /loss rate is due to the type of action they wee involved in and against who. the 110 had a good forward punch and did more anti- bomber missions and night fighter stuff, Not really a dogfight aircraft.  More sneak up under a lone Lancaster  give it a good burst of fire in appropriate area. and fly away before the gunners can bear on you. 

A lot safer than being in a 109 and having to take on Spitfires and Hurricanes.

Worth looking at this thread for info on and pics of the drum change

https://a2asimulations.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8000

Hope this helps.

Sadly none of the pics seem to work

Agreeing with Orcs... TWICE.

Yeah I know...

It's not clear on the count circumstances, though it implies it was BoB.  I suspect that it is down to numbers/maths. 10 110s claiming 17 RAF is "technically " better than 100 109s claiming 150 kills.

Those pics didn't work for me either, and I have checked that site before. The problem is all the diagrams are just of position,  no website on timing. I'm going to go 6 phases = 20 seconds, and nothing but straight and level, penalty if it turns/dives etc.

Ammo drums from Rojas Bazan's 1:15 model plus original plans

3 per gun to answer an earlier question.

Looking at the model, just turning round to access them would be "interesting" given how slim the fuselage is and that presumably the rear gunner's seat is in the way?

QuoteA lot safer than being in a 109 and having to take on Spitfires and Hurricanes.

Good job they weren't used as bomber escorts during the Battle of Britain then.

Quote from: Raider4 on 14 January 2025, 09:50:17 PMGood job they weren't used as bomber escorts during the Battle of Britain then.

They were quickly moved to night fighter duties as outclassed by Spitfire and Hurricane