Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter, Zerstörer (destroyer)
Messerschmitt Bf 110, Me 110

Photos

Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Bundesarchiv
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Bundesarchiv	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Bundesarchiv	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Bundesarchiv
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Bundesarchiv	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Bundesarchiv	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Messerschmitt Bf 110 Jaguar bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook	Messerschmitt Bf 110 Jaguar bomber: Aeronautics Aircraft Spotters' Handbook
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter over Budapest: Bundesarchiv	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter and a Italian Fiat G.50: Bundesarchiv
Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:	Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:

Design

The design for the Messerschmitt Bf 110 started in 1934.^2,4,5 The specifications from the Luftwaffe called for a long range fighter.⁴

Initially the Bf 110 was to be a heavy fighter, but it was a failure in that role.⁴ The Bf 110 was to be a bomber escort as it would sacrifice speed for firepower and range.³

Fuselage

The fuselage of the Messerschmitt Bf 110 was all metal with a stressed skin cover.¹

Tail

The tail planes incidence could be varied.¹

To offer a better field of fire for the rear gunner a double rudder design was encorporated.⁴

Extra Fuel

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 could have a belly tank (dachshund belly) installed with additional fuel.¹ It was however disliked by the crews as it was vulnerable.¹

Engines

The Bf 110 was supposed to have Daimler-Benz DB600 engines but due to shortages the less powerful Junkers Jumo 210 was used.³

Prototype

The prototype Messerschmitt Bf 110V1 first flew on May 12, 1936.^1,2,3,4,5 It had the Daimler-Benz DB 600 engine which wasn't very reliable.¹

Production

Production of the Bf 110 didn't end until February 1945³ / March 1945.^1,3

The Bf 110A-0 first flew in January 1938.³

• Messerschmitt Bf 110A-0:
  • Production: 1937 - 1938.²
• Messerschmitt Bf 110B: 45³
  • Production: 1938 - ?²
• Messerschmitt Bf 110C-0: 10³
• Total: 6,050^1,3,4
  • 1939: 315⁴
  • 1942: 580³
  • 1943: 1,580³
  • 1944: 1,525³
  • 1945: 45⁴
  • Manufacturer: Messerschmitt A.G.⁴

Variants

• Messerschmitt Bf 110V1: Used Daimler-Benz DB 600 engines (910 HP).³
• Messerschmitt Bf 110A:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110B:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110C:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110D:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110E:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110F:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110G:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110H:
• Messerschmitt Bf 110??: Night fighter version that was very successful in the early stages of the Allied bomber campaign.¹

Usage

Entered service in 1938.¹

Invasions of Poland and France

The Messerschmitt Bf 110 had a great deal of success in Poland and France.¹

Bf 110 intercepted 22 Royal Air Force Wellingtons and shot down nine of them.¹

Rudolph Hess' Flight

In his flight to England in 1941 Rudolph Hess flew a Messerschmitt Bf 110.¹

Battle of Britain

There were over 200 Bf 110 loses in the Battle of Britain.³

Night Fighters

By the middle of 1943 Bf 110 made up about 60% of the Luftwaffe's night fighters.³

Specifications

	Messerschmitt Bf 110	Messerschmitt Bf 110 Jaguar
Type	Fighter6	Bomber6
Crew
Engine (Type)	2: Mercedes-Benz DB 6016	2: Mercedes-Benz DB 6016
Cylinders
Cooling	Liquid6	Liquid6
HP	1,150 each6	1,150 each6
Propeller blades
Dimensions
Span	55'6	55'6
Length	35'6	35'6
Height	10' 9"6	10' 9"6
Wing area
Weight
Empty
Loaded	14,700 lb6	14,700 lb6
Maximum load
Performance
Speed	365 mph6	320 mph6
Climb
Service ceiling
Range	1,700 miles6	1,700 miles6
Armament
Nose	2: cannons6 4: MG6	3: cannons6 2: MG6
Cockpit rear	1: MG6