Messerschmitt Bf 109 Part I: Production History



Discuss.

Good article Bob. The struggle with it's design (and the choices that presented), especially the choice between heavier fire power (meaning more weight), and being lighter and more agile, during different stages of it's constuction, was interesting. Hey, and I can identify with it also. I tell my wife that I am not as light and agile as I used to be, but now, even though being a bit heavier, I have more fire power. She doesn't buy it.

Bob, this is definitely your best article of the "Best of" series you've been doing.

In retrospect, the fortunes of the Bf 109 mirrored those of the Luftwaffe itself - total dominance in the early victories, a long hard struggle to retain the superiority achieved, and final defeat in the face of overwhelming numbers. In some instances, it won out even in the face of bigger numbers as seen in the Eastern Front.

When people think of the Luftwaffe, they should think of the Bf 109.

Thanks guys. This part of the project was a lot harder than I imagined, due to some new excellent research material. This is the fascinating thing about history-it changes all the time, even the stuff that is well established.

Hopefully the next areticle will mirror this as a lot of the information is from the pilots who flew and fought in the Bf-109. Some of their points of view fly(no pun intended) in the face of supposed well established facts about the aircraft.

What I do hope is I can uncover similar information for other aircraft. It exsists, but I think at times is a bit slanted towards populist views.

Regards Bob.

Bob, I'm going to take your advice and contribute more.

It's interesting to see the production levels rise for the Bf 109 and then compare it to planes being produced by Allied countries.

In your article, you gave production estimates for the Bf 109 as follows:

1943 - 6,300 units
1944 - 14,000 units

The Bf 109 was not the only plane produced by the Germans, but it was the one they produced the most units of.

Altogether, 1943 and 1944 saw Germany produce 24,807 planes and 40,593 planes respectively.

Compare those same years to the other countries in World War II.

• US 1943 - 85,898 planes
• US 1944 - 96,318 planes
• UK 1943 - 26,263 planes
• UK 1944 - 26,461 planes
• USSR 1943 - 34,900 planes
• USSR 1944 - 40,300 planes

At this stage in the war, Germany had no chance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_ ... production
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_air ... rld_War_II

Thanks for your input drogers. It was really a question about numbers in the end and as Erhard Milch claimed after the war, the greatest mistake by Germany was 140,000 unbuilt fighters.

Of course there are many other factors to consider, but the major one was Hitler's lack of attention to detail. He wanted war and did not plan for it, resulting in defeat for Nazi Germany. An interesting point for me has always been Britain with a smaller industrial base than Germany, outproducing the Germans up till 1943. Clearly this situation should not have been allowed to happen and the mystifying thing is the Germans knew Allied production figures and failed to address the issue..................thankfully.

Regards Bob.

Technical details for various Bf-109 models.

POWERPLANTS.

Bf 109C-1 1x Junkers Jumo 210DA 12 cylinder liquid cooled engine rated @ 700HP @ takeoff and 675HP @ 12,500'.

Bf 109D-1 1x Daimler Benz DB600Aa 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 986HP @ takeoff and 910HP @ 13,120'.

Bf 109E-1 1x Daimler Benz DB601A 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 1,050HP @ takeoff and 1,100 HP @ 12,140'.

Bf 109E-3 1x Daimler Benz DB601Aa 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 1,175HP @ takeoff and 1,050HP @ 14,765'.

Bf 109F-2 1x Daimler Benz Db601N 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 1,200HP @ takeoff and 1,275HP @ 16,400'.

Bf 109F-4 1x Daimler Benz DB601-E 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 1,350HP @ takeoff and 1,300HP @ 18,045'.

Bf 109G-2 1x Daimler Benz DB605A-1 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 1,475HP @ takeoff and 1,355HP @ 18,700'.

Bf 109G-6 1x Daimler Benz DB605Am 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 1,475HP @ takeoff and 1,355HP @ 18,700'. With MW 50 boost 1,800HP @ takeoff and 1,700 HP @ 18,500'.

Bf 109K-4 1x Daimler Benz DB605ASCN 12 cylinder inverted-vee liquid cooled engine rated @ 2,000HP @ takeoff and 1,800HP @ 16,400'.

ARMAMENT.

Bf 109C-1 4x7.9mm MG17 machine guns @ 500RPG.

Bf 109D-1 1x20mm MG FF/M nose mounted cannon @ 16o rounds, 2x7.9mm MG17 machine guns @ 500RPG.

Bf 109E-1 2x20mm MG FF wing monted cannon @ 60RPG, 2x7.9mm MG17 fuselage mounted machine guns @ 1,000RPG.

Bf 109E-3 3x20mm MG FF cannon, 2 in wings @ 60RPG, 1 in fuselage mount @ 200 rounds, 2x7.9 MG17 fuselage mounted machine guns @ 500RPG.

Bf 109F-2 1x15mm MG151 cannon @ 200 rounds, 2x7.9mm MG17 machine guns @ 500RPG.

Bf 109F-4 1x20mm MG FF/M cannon @150 rounds, 2x 7.9mm MG17 machine guns @ 500RPG.

Bf 109G-2 1x20mm MG151 cannon @ 150 rounds, 2x7.9mm MG17 machine guns 500 RPG.

Bf 109G-6 1x30mm MK108 nose mounted cannon with 60 rounds or MG151 20mm cannon with 150 rounds, 2x13mm MG131 machine guns @ 300RPG.

Bf 109K-4 1x30mm MK103 or MK108 cannon @ 60 rounds, 2xMG151 15mm cannon @ 220RPG.

MAXIMUM SPEEDS.

Bf 109C-1 261mph at sea level, 276mph at 8,200', 292mph at 13,120'. Cruising speed 214mph at 8,200'.

Bf 109D-1 298mph at sea level, 323mph at 9,400', 357mph at 11,480'. Cruising speed 232mph at 9,400'.

Bf 109E-1 289mph at sea level, 342mph at 13,120', 334mph at 19,685'. Cruising speed 298mph at 13,120'.

Bf 109E-3 293mph at sea level, 348mph at 14,560',336mph at 19,685'. Cruising speed 300mph at 13,120'.

Bf 109F-2 321mph at sea level, 346mph at 9,840', 373mph at 19,685'. Cruising speed 314mph at 16,400'.

Bf 109F-4 334mph at sea level, 358mph at 9,840', 388mph at 21,325'. Cruising speed 348mph at 16,400'.

Bf 109G-2 317mph at sea level, 369mph at 16,400', 398mph at 20,670', with GM1 boost 406mph at 28,540'. Cruising speed 322mph at 16,400'.

Bf 109G-6 340mph at sea level, 380mph at 13,120', 386mph at 22,640 '. Cruising speed 350mph at 19,030'.

Bf 109K-4 378mph at sea level, 452mph at 19,685', 435mph at 34,610'. Cruising speed 356mph at 16,400'.

I will post more data tomorrow.

Regards Bob.

Bf 109 Technical Details continued.

RANGE.

Bf 109C-1 405 miles.

Bf 109D-1 348 miles.

Bf 109E-1 410 miles.

Bf 109E-3 410 miles.

Bf 109F-2 442 miles.

Bf 109F-4 528 miles with drop tank.

Bf 109G-2 528 miles with drop tank.

Bf-109G-6 620 miles with drop tank.

Bf 109K-4 356 miles.

CLIMB RATE.

Bf 109C-1 1,875' per minute

Bf 109D-1 2,985' per minute.

Bf 109E-1 2,645' per minute.

Bf 109E-3 2,772" per minute

Bf 109F-2 3,860' per minute.

Bf 109F-4 4,290' per minute.

Bf 109G-2 4,590' per minute.

Bf 109G-6 3,117' per minute.

Bf 109K-4 4,820' per minute.

SERVICE CEILING.

Bf 109C-1 27,560'

Bf 109D-1 32,810'

Bf 109E-1 34,450'

Bf 109E-3 34,450'

Bf 109F-2 36,090'

Bf 109F-4 39,370'

Bf 109G-2 39,370'

Bf 109G-6 37,890'

Bf 109K-4 41,000'

WEIGHTS.

Bf 109C-1 Empty-3,522lbs. Loaded-5,062lbs.

Bf 109D-1 Empty-4,398lbs. Loaded-5,335lbs.

Bf 109E-1 Empty-4,056lbs. Loaded-5,523lbs.

Bf 109E-3 Empty 4,189lbs. Loaded-5,875lbs.

Bf 109F-2 Empty-5,188lbs. Loaded-6,173lbs.

Bf109F-4 Empty-5,269lbs. Loaded-6,393lbs.

Bf 109G-2 Empty-5,687lbs. Loaded-7,055lbs.

Bf 109G-6 Empty-5,893lbs. Loaded-6,940lbs.

Bf 109K-4 Empty-5,974lbs. Loaded-7,475lbs.

DIMENSIONS.

Bf 109C-1 Span-32' 4 1/2". Length 28'. Height 8' 1/2". Wing Area 176.53'.

Bf 109D-1 Span 32' 4 1/2". Length 28' 2 1/2". Height 8' 4 3/4". Wing Area 176.53'.

Bf 109E-1 Span 32' 4 1/2". Length 28' 4 1/2". Height 8' 2 1/2". Wing Area 176.53'.

Bf 109E-3 Span 32' 4 1/2". Length 28' 4 1/2". Height 8' 2 1/2'. Wing Area 176.53'.

Bf 109F-2 Span 32' 5 3/4". Length 29' 1/2". Height 8' 6". Wing Area 174.37'.

Bf 109F-4 Span 32' 6 1/2". Length 29' 1/2". Height 8' 6". Wing Area 174.37'.

Bf 109G-2 Span 32' 6 1/2". Length 29' 1/2". Height 8' 2 1/2". Wing Area 174.37'.

Bf 109G-6 Span 32' 6 1/2". Length 29' 1/2". Height 8' 2 1/2". Wing Area 174.37'.

Bf 109K-4 Span 32' 8 1/2". Length 29' 1/2". Height 8' 2 1/2". Wing Area 173.299'.

Regards Bob.

The Bf 109 served from the first day of the war to the last day. The mere fact it was still a competitive combat aircraft against more modern fighters at the end is testimony to the soundness of the original design.

By no means was the Bf 109 a perfect design, but neither were the fighters that followed on both sides. In principal the Messerschmitt designers never envisaged their creation would stay in front line service for nearly a decade, which highlights what a remarkable aircraft the 109 was.

From the vital statistics of this fighter we can see without any real appreciable alteration to it's dimensions, the designers were able to continuously modify the design. Some modifications throughout the career of this fighter were seen as retrograde steps, the lighter armament of the Bf 109F series a prime example. yet there were many pilots who felt the F version was the best of them all, and in fact superior to the Spitfire in every aspect.

The one aspect of these figures is the weight spiral the 109 suffered with every successive 'improvement'. With more weight, came the demand for more power and a vicious cycle ensued. However changing combat conditions and the inability of the German aircraft industry to develop an adequate replacement were the main factors in this, rather than any fault in the aircraft.

German gun philosophy was different to America and Britain. German planes would carry fewer guns with heavier hitting power, rather than more guns with higher rate of fire. As the demands of the war grew, so did the demands for more hitting power. By late 1943 it was obvious the principal cannon armement-the 20mm MG FF cannon was proving inadequate in dealing with American heavy bombers. While the Luftwaffe had forced a cessation of American bombing in late 1943, studies proved the high number of hits required to kill a B-17 with 20mm cannon was prohibitive.

Clearly something more efficient was needed. the answer was the 30mm 'Mine' shell. Development of this weapon began before the war, but progress was slow. in fact it was decidely tardy. The weapon was planned to be in service in late 1941, but did not appear in numbers untill 1944. Though slow firing and with a low muzzle velocity these weapons were more effective in dealing with heavy bombers, 2 to 3 shells, enough to bring down a B-17. Of course the downside was, this weapon was not anywhere near as effective against enemy fighters, due to the low firing rate and muzzle velocity.

This was all part of the cycle the 109 was forced to go through, due to the limitations of the Geman aircraft industry.

There is more to discuss and your comments are welcome.

Regards Bob.

Bob, out of all the articles you've written on this subject, this one is the most detailed and engaging. I do hope you follow up with a part 2. Some of these kids need help remembering their history.

Yes one day I will get on with this series of articles. As for something different here is some film of 109's in action.



Regards Bob.

Hello Everybody, Happy Saint Patrick’s Day:


It’s past time for me to check in with you Gentlemen and Ladies too if any are infected with the trivial history virus known as Aero Wartus Twoty.

Trying to ansswer the Question: “What was the best allied fighter of WW-II?”

I’ve spent more than a year trying to come up with a winning argument for the Republic P-47, my personal favorite, especially the P-47N. In that time I found myself almost agreeing with writers promoting nearly every fighter plane employed in World War Two. After all the reading and time to ponder Instill feel Republic got the old Thunder-Jug right with the “N” bird.

There is no pat answer but many good arguments to discuss. In some cases an airplane peeked as champion then faded into the background within a matter of weeks. For instance the Super Marine Spitfire enjoyed roughly one hundred days of glory with the planes and pilots deserving every accolade they received. It was still a great fighter right through the war but had to stand aside as others took turns hogging center stage The Flying Tigers and their P-40s. had their turn. The P-47, Hellcat, Corsair and P-51 had people calling them “Best of the Best,” before the war ended. There were a few great fighter planes that hardly saw the war or just missed it. The Hawker Fury might have been the best of that bunch but that’s another question for another day.

I found many well thought out arguments for different airplanes and felt this was the best if it did claim the F4U was the best. Since it was the fighter kept in production longest he might be right but I still like the P-47N best.

Slim.
http://home.att.net/~historyzone/F4U-4.html

I've been wanting to respond to this for a week and it is good to see you back on the boards Slim. This is a weighty topic and I want to start a new thread where general discussion on the subject can be carried out more broadly.

Bob.

I just got a program on the Military Channel. It said that 5% of all 109's were lost to landing accidents.

This has been a widely accepted figure for some time, though figures do vary-as high as 30%. As Luftwaffe records are far from complete 5% seems acceptable as it falls roughly in line with loss figures of contemporary aircraft.

But, and there is always a big but, such figures are always open to further modification as more records are researched. This holds true with most combatant nations of the war.

Bob