Question for the history buffs

Jasta 6 · #1 09-17-2009, 07:08 AM

Whilst looking at the beautiful aircraft models in the hangar, i began to wonder... Why did the germans paint that black and white spiral on the propeller hub of so many of their planes? Surely there's a reason beyond 'It looks cool when its spinning'?

Soviet Ace · #2 09-17-2009, 07:10 AM

Supposed to be a physiological effect on the pilots. Kinda like in WW1 when they tried that design on the sides of ships, to throw off the U-boats. (can't think of the name at the moment.)

EDIT: DAZZLE!!! That's what I was thinking of. Dazzle.

Jasta 6 · #3 09-17-2009, 07:14 AM

Lozenge? I thought that was just camo, to break up the outline of the ship? If you look close at the ships in BoP, they have that paint scheme.

edit: just looked up Dazzle. It was used to make it harder to determine the ship's heading and speed.

SeaCat · #4 09-17-2009, 07:24 AM

German pilots believed that it would throw off the aim of anti-aircraft gunners. (From Luftwaffe Aces by Franz Kurowski)

David603 · #5 09-17-2009, 08:41 AM

It makes judging distance harder for the enemy gunners.

Yossarian · #6 09-17-2009, 02:34 PM

It is for ground crew to tell if the prop is spinning, so you don't approach the aircraft until it has completely stopped.

Modern aircraft still have it

Wissam24 · #7 09-17-2009, 09:42 PM

Yeah, it shows that the propeller is spinning....

The_Goalie_94 · #8 09-18-2009, 12:57 AM

I dont think that a spiral on the little hub in front of the propeller will throw off the enemies aim...no offence, but it seems useless.

Soviet Ace · #9 09-18-2009, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_Goalie_94

I dont think that a spiral on the little hub in front of the propeller will throw off the enemies aim...no offence, but it seems useless.

It was useless.

skullblits · #10 09-18-2009, 05:42 AM

It was used to scare the Birds away from the..... errrr Thingy ma jingy