The Wellington DWI (Directional Wireless Installation) aircraft has a unique ring around the fuselage and is effective against German magnetic mines during World War II. After Britain’s success in using this technology to defend mines, the Germans installed similar systems on the plane.
Allied transport faces danger of German magnetic mines
The unique Wellington DWI modified bomber aircraft was designed to fight German magnetic mines during World War II. In the early days of the war, Luftwaffe aircraft dropped mines in British coastal waters, causing serious harm to Allied transport.
Aluminum ring powered by a car engine
British engineers designed a solution to install Aluminum ring in Wellington. They also added a Ford V8 car engine to the fuselage to create and send current to the ring, which will create a magnetic field. The ring is a circular coil with a diameter of 51 feet, in a Balsa wood cover.
The basic task is to let the Wellington DWI fly low, and the magnetic field in the ring will trigger German magnetic mines and detonate them. They successfully tested the system in December 1939. On January 8, 1940, the first successful mission using the DWI aircraft occurred nearby Manstona small town near the coast of the British Channel.
Challenges for DWI staff in Wellington
The ring system presents some unique challenges to the pilot. First, the aircraft must fly very low and be at risk in the explosive magnetic mines. The crew is sure that they must not fly more than 35 feet above the water, the RAF sets a standard height of 60 feet. Despite this, the explosion still shocked the plane a lot.
During a test flight on January 13, 1940, the Wellington DWI accidentally dropped below 35 feet, and when the mine exploded, the crew said the plane was “Throw” up in the air.
Engine smoke makes it difficult for pilots
The second variant of DWI has the De Havilland Gypsy Six Engine, which produces a more powerful current. The gypsy version is called Mark II. This and the V8 both create smoke inside the aircraft, which usually leads toViolent nausea” Among the crew.
In total, the British converted the rings to DWI models as many as 15 Wellingtons. The basic task outline is composed of three DWIs.
On May 11, 1940, DWIS participated in a mission Evacuate the Netherlands Queen Wilhelmina During the German invasion, her family and her government came from the Netherlands. They fled to a British destroyer, and Devis helped clear the mine so the ship could escape.
Wellington DWI aircraft provide valuable support to the Allies
After that, DWI deploys to Ismaria, Egyptand flew on Alexandria, the Suez Canal and the African coast. Their ability to clean up mines proved to be an important support for the promoted Allies in North Africa.
Germans develop their own anti-mineral ring system
Wellington DWI proved to be so effective that the Germans developed similar designs to fight British magnetic mining in the Baltic and North Seas. In 1939, Luftwaffe modified the garbage ju-52/3m, its 46-foot-diameter transport aircraft. Like Wellington, the ring on the JU-52/3M on the plane called “MS Minensuche (Mine Search)” is an aluminum coil wrapped in Balsa Wood.
They used a plywood support rod to attach the ring to the wings. German aircraft are installed on the fuselage using diesel engines and gasoline motors 150 kilowatt generator Provide electricity to their rings.
Acoustic mines bring more challenges to the Germans
When the British also started using acoustic mines, the Germans responded by adding new equipment to their trash cans. These “Kk-gerät (Knallkörpergerät or my destruction device)” The plane comes with a 30 pound and 22 pound explosion fee, which will destroy the hydraulic machine (microphone) on the mine.
During the mission, two MS MINENSUENCHEMINE search aircraft will fly adjacent to each other at 32-65 feet, while the KK-Gerät aircraft will be approximately 130 feet behind it. This put them at risk of explosions caused by the first aircraft.
The Germans eventually extended the planes south to the Mediterranean and in the most critical and dangerous areas along the French coast. The plane swept the floor until the end of the war.
The development of these high-tech (in their time) is an example of the development of both sides in combating magnetic mines during World War II Winston Churchill In the early stages of the war, the scientific struggle of the most advanced weapons and tactics continued to be developed.
