Messerschmitt.109

Technical Data

Type : Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 singel seat fighter.

Engine : one 1,175-hp (876-kW ) Daimler-Benz DB 601Aa inline piston engine.

Performance : maximum speed 348 mph (560 km/h) at 14,560 ft (4,440 m); climb to 3,290 ft (1,000 m ) in one minute 6 seconds; service ceiling 34,450 ft (10,500 m) ; range 410 miles ( 660 km ).

Weight : empty 4,189 lb (1,900 kg ); maximum take-off 5,875 lb (2,665 kg ).

Dimensions :span 32 ft 4.5 in (9.87 m ); length 28 ft 4.5 in ( 8.64 m ) ; height 8 ftb 2.25 in ( 2.50 m ); wing area 174.05 sq ft (16.17 m ) .

Armament : two or three 20-mm cannon and two 7.92-mm ( 0.312-in ) machine guns

The Bf 109 prototype first flew in may 1935. Of the several early variants,ths Bf 109B was evaluated operationlly in ths Spanish Cival War (1936 to 1939). The definitive Jumo 210-engined version was the Bf 109C, but the Bf 109D introduced the DB 600 series engine with which this early monoplane fighter became a real winner. In 1938 Messerschmitt moved on to the Bf 109E-0 a pre production model powered by the 1,100-hp (820-kw) DB 601A featuring direct fuel injection and an improved supercharger

The Bf 109E was dubbed the Emile by its pilots, and large-scale production was undertaken from 1939. The type was Germany's fighter mainstay in 1940 and acquitted itself well in the Battle of Britain. Production totalled 1,868, and the Bf 109E was being Superseded by the Bf 109F as Germany invaded the USSR in mid-1941. Desert models, carrying the suffix "Trop" and fitted with sand filters, served longer in North Africa.

Bf 109E-0 (pre-production variant with four 7.92-mm/0.312-in machine guns),Bf 109E-1 (production variant with two machine guns and two 20-mm cannon), Bf 109E-1/B (fighter-bomber), Bf 109E-3 (more power and armament), Bf 109E-4 (with E-1 armament), Bf 109E-4/B (fighter bomber), Bf 109E-5 (reconnaissance fighter with 1,200-hp/895-kw DB 601N), Bf 109E-8 (1,350 hp/1,0-kw DB 601E), and Bf 109E-9 ( reconnaissance fighter ).