Bf109

Bf 109

Messerschmitt

                                                                

Bf 109

The Bf 109 was the most produced fighter in history with over 35,000 built.  The 'E' version or Emil was used over England in the Battle of Britain. 



Crew:                   1

Power:                  1 - Daimler-Benz 1200 hp DB 601 N liquid-cooled inverted V-12 cylinder piston engine

Max. Speed:         578 kph / 358 mph
Ceiling:                11,125 m / 36,500 ft
Range:                 1094 km / 680 miles
Climb:                  1006 m / 3300 ft per minute

Weight -
Empty:                 2014 kg / 4440 lb
Max. Take Off:    2767 kg / 6100 lb

Size -
Wingspan:            9.86 m / 32 ft 4.5 in
Wing Area:          16.16 sq m / 174 sq ft
Length:                 8.74 m / 28 ft 8 in
Height:                 3.4 m / 11 ft 2 in

Armament:
                           1 - hub firing 20 mm / 0.7 in cannon
                           4 - 7.9 mm / 0.31 in machine guns
                                 2 in engine cowling
                                 2 in wings

V I D E O

                                                                

Bf 109G

One of the improvements of the G model over the Emil was replacing the two 7.0 mm machine guns in the engine cowling with 12 mm / .50 calibers.  The landing gear was narrow which made the Messerschmidt landings accident prone.  

               

Battle of Britain

The Bf 109 met its match with the British Spitfire although the Messerschmidt's fuel injection was an advantage over the Spitfire's carburetion in maneuvers involving negative G force.  In overall performance though a slight edge is generally given the Spitfire.  That statement will bring dispute.  

                                                 

Bf 109 and P-47 Thunderbolt

The 109 was conceived in the 1930s and remained in operation throughout the war.  Towards war's end it faced challenges from newer aircraft such as the P-51 Mustang and P-47 seen above.  At this point air superiority would take the form of the revolutionary jet powered Me 262 Schwalbe or Swallow.  

                                                             

The above graphic commemorates Hannes Gentzen, Germany's first ace of World War II.  Gentzen was credited with downing 18 planes before his own death in 1940 when his plane crashed on take off.

Related Topics:

Spitfire Supermarine

P - 51 Mustang

FW 190 Focke-Wulf

B - 17

A V I A T I O N

                                         

OVER EASY

                   coldValentine