Warbird Information Exchange

Eric:
I am a magnesium buff. I have worked in and followed magnesium in aircraft for a number of years. Was surprised to see that most all the engines hung on German fighter and some bomber airframes used forged magnesium engine bearers. In 2005 I had a chance to go to Dessau, Germany the home of Junkers. I visited the Junkers Museum, but found that no one was aware that Prof Hertel of Junkers was the main force behind the use of magnesium engine bearers. Junkers was a leader in the total use of magnesium in aircraft structures. However, the Stuka, ME109, ME110, FW190 (earlier models with radial engines used a magnesium ring, the later models with the in-line engine used standard types of magnesium engine bearers.

I am wondering if the redone bearer was done in magnesium?

Bob Brown

Eric:
Thanks for the prompt response. Anything I can learn about the use of magnesium in any of the German aircraft would be quite interesting. I find, as with the Volkswagen Beetle, instead of magnesium, the term Light Metal is often used. The Beetle had a magnesium crankcase and a magnesium transmission and an number of other parts amounting to over 20kg per car.

Going thru some of the published aircraft details, such as Janes, Hitler's Luftwaffe by Wood and Gunston, there is an occasional reference to magnesium and sometimes to "Elektron" which was the German trade name for magnesium. I have many of the actual reports on the US debriefing of the German wartime industry people, on the subject of magnesium. that was where I first learned about Dessau and prof Hertel. Most of the wheels of the WWII aircraft were magnesium. That was in all AF's. US, German, British, etc.

Feel free to use my name if you wish. I have noted on some of the recently recovered German aircraft from lakes, that there is mention of the magnesium being corroded away. Which is not surprising. In one picture the part of a 109 bearer that was buried in the mud survived, while the part that was exposed was gone.

It would be interesting to know if the people rebuilding the 109's are aware that the bearers were magnesium and if they can find people today to reproduce the replacements in the original metal. It would be quite costly to do it as a magnesium forging I am sure.

Thanks again,
Bob

Robert E. Brown
Publisher
Magnesium Monthly Review