Bf-109
Type:
Fighter
Weight:
Empty: 2,255kg.
Take-off: 3,100 kg.
Length: 9.05m
Wingspan: 10.6 m
Wingarea: 17.3 sq. m.
Engine: Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1.
Power:
Indicated: 1,355 HP
Take-off: 1,475 HP
Speed:
Sea level: 520 km/h.
At 7,000m: 666 km/h.
Turn time at an altitude of 1,000m: ? sec.
Climb to 3,000m: 2.9 min.
Climb in a combat turn: ? m.
Service ceiling: 12,000 m.
Range: 545 km.
Armament:
2x7.92 mm (MG 17)
1x20 mm (MG 151/20).
Delays in production of the new Fokke-Wulf FW-190 fighters resulted in
Luftwaffe headquarters asking Messerschmitt director Willy Messerschmitt
to create a new improved variant on the Bf-109 aircraft - the Bf-109G,
equipped with a new more powerful engine and featuring stronger armament.
The serial Bf-109F aircraft was taken as the basis for the modification.
A Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 engine (power 1.475 HP) was chosen as a power
plant. It could develop 1,355 HP at 6,000m using GM-1 boost (the GM-1
was used on some G-versions with pressurized cockpits: it was not used
on the Russian front). The new aircraft was supposed to come with a pressurized
cockpit that would prevent pressure drops at high altitude and would keep
the exhaust gases away from the cockpit.
Serial production of the Bf-109 G series aircraft started in October 1940
and, by the end of 1942, the Bf-109G had practically replaced an earlier
Bf-109F model. Together with the FW-190A aircraft, therefore, it comprised
the whole aviation fleet of German day-fighters.
Main modifications:
Bf-109G-0 - Pre-serial version. Engine: DB 601E. Armament:
two 7.92mm machine guns (MG 17) and a 20-mm cannon (MG 151/20) in the
propeller hub. Strengthened construction. Pressurized cockpit.
Bf-109G-1 - Serial version. Engine: Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1.
Armament left unchanged. Pressurized cockpit.
Bf-109G-1/Trop - Basis: the Bf-109G-1 aircraft. Armament:
two 13-mm machine guns (MG 131) and a 20-mm cannon (MG 151/20) in the
propeller hub.
Bf-109G-2 - Serial version of the Bf-109G-1 without pressurized
cockpit.
Bf-109G-3 - Serial version of the Bf-109G-1 with different
radio equipment. Pressurized cockpit.
Bf-109G-4 - Serial version of the Bf-109G-2 with different
radio equipment. No pressurized cockpit.
Bf-109G-5 - Serial version. Engine: DB 605A-1 or DB 605AC.
Armament: two 13-mm machine guns (MG 131) and a 20-mm cannon (MG 151/20)
in the propeller hub. Pressurized cockpit.
Bf-109G-5/U2 - Modified version of the Bf-109G-5. Rear fuselage and tail
assembly made of wood.
Advantages: One of the best serial front-line fighters
featuring excellent flight characteristics. Strong armament. Simple and
easily understood controls. Very good maneuverability and acceleration.
Disadvantages: Poor rear view from the cockpit. Heavier construction.
Short range.
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