https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, was a German World War II fighter aircraft that was
the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational
service during the Spanish Civil War (1939) and was still in service at the dawn
of the jet age at the end of World War II (1945). It was one of the most
advanced fighters of the era, including such features as all-metal monocoque
construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear. It was powered by a
liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine. From the end of 1941, the Bf 109 was
steadily being supplemented by the superior Focke-Wulf Fw 190.
Originally conceived as an interceptor, later models were developed to fulfill
multiple tasks, serving as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day-, night-,
all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and as reconnaissance aircraft. It
was supplied to and operated by several states during World War II, and served
with several countries for many years after the war. The Bf 109 was the most
produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 33,984 airframes produced
from 1936 up to April 1945.
Originally the aircraft was designated as Bf 109 by the RLM, since the design
was submitted by the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (literally "Bavarian Aircraft
Works", meaning "Bavarian Aircraft Factory"; sometimes abbreviated B.F.W., akin
to BMW) during 1935. The company was renamed Messerschmitt AG after 11 July 1938
when Erhard Milch finally allowed Willy Messerschmitt to acquire the company.
All Messerschmitt aircraft that originated after that date, such as the Me 210,
were to carry the "Me" designation. Despite regulations by the RLM, wartime
documents from Messerschmitt AG, RLM and Luftwaffe loss and strength reports
continued to use both designations, sometimes even on the same page
Role
Fighter
Manufacturer
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW)
Messerschmitt AG
Designer
Willy Messerschmitt, Robert Lusser
First flight
29 May 1935
Introduction
February 1937
Retired
9 May 1945, Luftwaffe
27 December 1965, Spanish Air Force
Primary users
Luftwaffe
Hungarian Air Force
Aeronautica Nazionale Repubblicana
Royal Romanian Air Force
Number built
33,984[1]
+239 HA-1112
+603 Avia S-199
The first Bf 109As saw service in the Spanish Civil War. By September 1939, the
Bf 109 had become the main fighter of the Luftwaffe, replacing the biplane
fighters, and was instrumental in gaining air superiority for the Wehrmacht
during the Blitzkrieg. During the Battle of Britain, it was pressed into the
role of escort fighter, a role for which it was not originally designed, and it
was widely employed as a fighter-bomber as well as a photo-reconnaissance
platform. Despite mixed results over Britain, with the introduction of the
improved Bf 109F in early 1941, the type again proved to be an effective fighter
during the Invasion of Yugoslavia (where it was used by both sides), the Battle
of Crete, Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the USSR and the Siege of Malta.
More aerial kills were made with the Bf 109 than any other aircraft of World War
II. Many of the aerial victories were accomplished against poorly trained and
badly organized Soviet forces in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa. The Soviets
lost 21,200 aircraft at this time, about half to combat. If shot down, the
Luftwaffe pilots might land or parachute to friendly territory and return to
fight again. Later in the War, when Allied victories began to bring the fight
closer, and then to German territory, bombing raids supplied plenty of targets
for the Luftwaffe. This unique combination of events led to the highest-ever
individual pilot victory scores. One hundred and five Bf 109 pilots were each
credited with the destruction of 100 or more enemy aircraft. Thirteen of these
men scored more than 200 kills, while two scored more than 300. Altogether, this
group of pilots were credited with a total of nearly 15,000 kills. Though there
was no official "ace" status in the Luftwaffe (unofficially, the term Experte
(expert) was used for an experienced pilot irrespective of his number of kills),
using the Allied definition of pilots who scored five or more kills, there were
more than 2,500 Luftwaffe fighter aces in World War II. Against the Soviets,
Finnish-flown Bf 109Gs claimed a victory ratio of 25:1
Variants
Avia S-99/S-199
Hispano Aviacion Ha 1112
Specifications (Bf 109 G-6)
General characteristics
Crew: One
Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 2 in)
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (5,893 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb)
Max. takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,495 lb)
(1,455 hp, 1,085 kW)
Propellers: VDM 9-12087 three-bladed light-alloy propeller Propeller diameter: 3
m (9 ft 10 in)
Performance
Maximum speed: 640 km/h (398 mph) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (365 mph) at 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
Range: 850 km (528 mi) 1,000 km (621 mi) with droptank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)
Power/mass: 344 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)
Armament
gun
or
1 x 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 65 rpg (G-6/U4
variant)
VI)
US gal) drop tank
Avionics
FuG 16Z radio
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