[Phantom Phan1200]

Im no big fan of the JU-52 & thought out of all of them this would be the one I liked the least.
But after looking at the mules pics, I have to say I like this one, the camo & detail is awsome.

[timbo]

Originally Posted by skydriver

Thanks Hoverbug. But, now I must ask you to further expound on your answer.

I assume that this was used to magneticly deactivate sea-mines useless or to set them off so that ships can pass through underwater mine fields without danger of being blowing up. If so, I can only assume that the plane with the "degaussing ring" had to fly at a very low altitude above known mine fields to do its job. Is this a correct assumption? And if so, how low above the water would a plane have to be to be successful?

Thank you.

Wonder if any got hit by the water spot of the exploding mines??

Just looked at the pic's on the Mules site - Have to say first impressions are that this one looks really nice. I'm very tempted.

[1250ships]

The British used a similar setup on Wellingtons so perhaps Corgi will do that unusual aircraft too.

I wasn't planning on buying any JU-52s other than perhaps the floatplane but this one looks pretty cool.

[SkyBuffalo]

Booya! The pics on the FlyingMule are sweet! So glad I pre-ordered this one. For some reason this one spoke to me instead of the other two.

Dear Skydriver :

From "The Hamlyn Concise Guide to Axis Aircraft of World War II" by David Mondey :

"With the greater percentage of the west coast of Europe in Axis hands the British stepped up their offensive against German shipping, many mines being laid in coastal waters at the entrance to estuaries and rivers along much of the occupied coast. In a bid to help counter this a number of minesweeping groups were formed with specially adapted Ju52/3m(MS) aircraft. These had large dural rings fitted beneath the fuselage and braced below the engines, the hoops energized by an auxiliary motor in the fuselage to deal with magnetic mines. Other Ju52/3m aircraft each carried a container with small explosive charges to detonate other types of mines. It was the practice to fly in groups of three aircraft at about 124 mph (200 km/h), with the altitude some 130 ft (40 m) above the estimated level of the mine. There were probably few volunteers for this hazardous task!"

So, if the estimated level of the mine is 30 feet below the water level, then the Tante Ju's are cruising about 100 ft. above the sea. Booya, riding the waves! Surf's up, frauline!

[dilligafocau]

Did these Minesweepers detect the mines so that the following aircraft could drop charges, or did the energised induction ring set off the charges? I would of thought it would have been easier to detect mines at 200mph, than set them off . Either way I wonder how the crew coped with all that emr floating around?

[timbo]

Originally Posted by dilligafocau

Did these Minesweepers detect the mines so that the following aircraft could drop charges, or did the energised induction ring set off the charges? I would of thought it would have been easier to detect mines at 200mph, than set them off . Either way I wonder how the crew coped with all that emr floating around?

My understanding is that the ring fooled the mine to tink that a ship was passing overhead. I don't think the art of mine hunting(detection and individual disposal) had been perfected then.

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by dilligafocau

Did these Minesweepers detect the mines so that the following aircraft could drop charges, or did the energised induction ring set off the charges? I would of thought it would have been easier to detect mines at 200mph, than set them off . Either way I wonder how the crew coped with all that emr floating around?

I suspect they were far more concerned about lead, shrapnel and water-spouts flying around than the dangers of EMR (which I suspect were unknown then) ...


One thing I did notice about this Ju-52 is that (I think) the pre-pro had wires on the magnetic ring that attached to the 'aerial/strut' on top of the fuselage ... possibly too difficult/fragile to put into mass production .

[aeroeng]

Originally Posted by skydriver

What is the " ring of confidence ". I looked on line and did not find anything, or any pictures like the one showing on TFM. Will someone please enlighten me.

Here you go skydriver. Looks pretty cool to me.

[mikeb1958]

Originally Posted by aeroeng

Here you go skydriver. Looks pretty cool to me.

The more I look at it , the more I like it. Sweeeeeeeeeeet!

[WJP]

In the Mule's newletter it says this Ju 52 comes with "minesweeping ring that can (optionally) be attached to the underside of the model". This would make me much more inclined to pick one up though I think $119 is a little steep.