Messerschmitt Bf 109 facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bf 109 |
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| A Hispano Aviación HA-1112, a license-built Messerschmitt Bf 109 G-2, rebuilt by the EADS/Messerschmitt Foundation, Germany with a Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine as a G-6. The paint scheme is missing the Swastika, due to German law. | |
| 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 +239 HA-1112 +603 Avia S-199 |
| Variants | Avia S-99/S-199 Hispano Aviacion Ha 1112 |
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, often called the Me 109, was a very important fighter aircraft used by Germany during World War II. It was built by a company called Messerschmitt.
This plane first flew in 1935. It was one of the first modern fighter planes of its time. The Bf 109 was special because it was made completely of metal. It also had a closed cockpit where the pilot sat. Its landing gear could pull up into the plane after take-off. This made it faster. The plane was powered by a strong, liquid-cooled engine.
The Luftwaffe (Germany's air force) used the Bf 109. It flew in the Spanish Civil War and all through World War II.
Contents
What Made the Bf 109 Special?
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a very advanced plane for its time. It was one of the first fighter planes to have an all-metal body. This made it strong and light.
It also had a closed cockpit, which protected the pilot. Plus, its landing gear could be pulled up into the wings. This helped the plane fly faster and smoother.
Many Planes Were Built
Many different versions of the Me 109 were made. Each version was designed for special tasks. The Me 109 became the most produced fighter plane ever.
A total of 33,984 of these planes were built. This happened between 1936 and April 1945.
Tricky Take-offs and Landings
The design of the Bf 109 caused some problems. Taking off and landing could be difficult for pilots. At least 10% of all Bf 109s were lost in accidents during these times.
About 1,500 of these accidents happened between 1939 and 1941. A new fixed tailwheel was added later. This helped to make the plane safer to fly.
Bf 109 vs. Fw 190
The Luftwaffe used the Bf 109 along with another plane called the Fw 190. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 had two machine guns and one cannon. The Fw 190 had two machine guns and four cannons.
The Bf 109 was much lighter than the Fw 190. It weighed about 1,500 kg less. Even though it was lighter, the Bf 109 was almost as fast as the Fw 190. It could also climb faster into the sky.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Messerschmitt Bf 109 V1
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A drawing of the V1 prototype
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Prototype V3
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JG 53 Bf 109E-3, around 1939/1940
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A Bf 109E at the Royal Air Force Museum London with its wings temporarily removed, 2016
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Automatic leading edge slats on a Bf 109E. These helped the plane handle better.
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A Bf 109E-3 of JG 51 ‘Mölders’ showing the 20 mm MG FF guns in the wing.
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Luftwaffe ground-crew moving a Bf 109G-6. It has extra guns under the wings. JG 2, France, late 1943.
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Bf 109E-3 in flight, 1940
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Bf 109F-4 of JG 3 near Reims, France
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Bf 109 Gustav cockpit
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Assembly of Bf 109G-6s in a German aircraft factory.
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Bf 109A from the Condor Legion during Spanish Civil War (1936–1939)
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Finnish Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2s during the Continuation War
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Romanian Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4 at Stalingrad
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S-199 782358 IAFM
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Hispano Aviación HA-1112 Buchon, a Spanish version built by Hispano Aviación
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A Bf 109E-3 of the Swiss Air Force at the Flieger-Flab-Museum
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Bf 109G-2 14792 Yugoslavian Aviation Museum
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Bf 109E-7 of the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force in November 1941
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3-view drawing of Bf 109G-6.
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See also
In Spanish: Messerschmitt Bf 109 para niños
