Messerschmitt BF109

 

Conceived during 1934, using the news features of the BF108 ,the BF 109 first flight was done during 1935. Engaged in the Spanish War against olders planes the BF109 show his great capability.
The early's versions B,C and D suffer of a lack of engine power and the armament quite normal for the moment, seem to need upgrade of power.
It's only with the E version nicknamed " Emil " that the BF109 reach the top of his development. With the powerfull DB601 ranging 1100 to 1300 CV and a standard armament composed of 2 machingun of 7,7mm caliber MG17 on the cowling ,1 20 mm MG FF in the nose and two other MG FF 20mm in the wings, the BF109 become the best fighter of his era.

All along WWII the BF109 is upgraded and despite the arrival of more moderns planes the BF109 is still the classic fighter of the Luftwaffe.

 



The engine power was constantly upgraded to reach 1550 CV with the DB605 ASCM/DCM fitted with the ermergency system MMW50 the engine reach 2000 CV.
The armament become heavier by the replacement of MG17 by 13mm caliber MG131 and the 20mm MG FF was replaced by 30mm MK108 or MK103.
The BF109 also use the 210mm rocket Wfr GR21 to broke the boxes of allied bombers.

At the end of war the BF109 was still built by Hipano Aviaçion (under license ) and was nammed HA1109 and HA1112 fitted with Rolls Royce Merlin or Hispano engine.
The last HA1112 was built in Seville at the end of 1956.


Also built in Tchecoslovakia by Avia and nammed S199 , the lack of Daimler Benz engine force Avia to use the Jumo 211 F slowest and with heavy torque this engine make the BF109 harder to controle at take-off.
A number of these S199 were sold to Israel and were of the early fighter of the young nation.