| Bf 108 Taifun | |
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| Lufthansa's Bf 108B-1, D-EBEI | |
| Role | Communications |
| Manufacturer | Bayerische Flugzeugwerke |
| Designed by | Willy Messerschmitt |
| First flight | 1934 |
| Primary users | Luftwaffe Armée de l’Air Manchukuo National Airways |
| Number built | 885[1] |
| Variants | Nord 1000 |
The Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun was a German single-engine sports and touring aircraft developed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works). The Bf 108 was of all-metal construction. The Bf 109 fighter used many of the same design features.[citation needed]
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Design and development
Originally designated the M-37, the aircraft was designed as a two-seat sports/recreation aircraft for competition in the 4th Challenge de Tourisme Internationale (1934). [2] The M 37 prototype flew first in spring 1934 powered by a 186 kW (250 hp) Hirth HM 8U inverted-V engine, which drove a three-blade propeller.
Although it was outclassed[citation needed] by lighter aircraft in the competition, the M 37's performance marked it as a popular choice for record flights. One of the first major changes made to the production variants was to adapt the fuselage for a four-seat configuration.
The A version first flew in 1934, followed by the B version in 1935. The B version used the Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 engine. The nickname Taifun (German for "typhoon") was given to her own aircraft by Elly Beinhorn, a well known German pilot, and was generally adopted.[3]
Operational history
Soon after the first production aircraft began to roll off the assembly line in Augsburg, several Bf 108s had set endurance records.
The Bf 108 was adopted into Luftwaffe service during World War II, where it was primarily used as a personnel transport and liaison aircraft. The plane involved in the Mechelen Incident was a Bf 108.
Production of the Bf 108 was transferred to occupied France during World War II and production continued after the war as the Nord 1000 Pingouin.
Variants
- M-37/Bf 108A
- Initial version designed in 1934 for use in Challenge 1934. Six were built with the Hirth HM 8U, one other initially had a 164 kW (220 hp) Argus As17B inline engine and later a 120 kW (160 hp) Siemens Sh14A radial.[3]
- Bf 108B
- Revised version, built from late 1935. Prototype had a 120 kW (160 hp) Siemens Sh14A radial, but production machines used the 180 kW (240 hp) Argus 10C or the 210 kW (270 khp) Argus 10E. Quadrant shaped rather than rectangular rear window, tailwheel replacing skid, revision of shape of empennnage and removal of tailplane upper bracing.[3]
- Bf 108C
- Proposed high-speed version, powered by a 298 kW (400 hp) Hirth HM 512 engine. Probably not built.[3]
- Me 208
- Improved and enlarged version with a retractable tricycle landing gear. Two prototypes were built by SNCAN (Nord) in France during the war. After 1945 Nord continued its production as the Nord Noralpha. A Nord Noralpha is on display at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Florida, United States which has been painted to represent an Me 208.[4]
- Nord 1000 Pingouin
- Bf 108 built during and after the war by SNCAN in France; followed by the Nord 1001, that had only minor variations and the Nord 1002 which used a Renault engine.
Operators
- Czechoslovak Air Force operated this type post war under designation K-70.
- Armée de l’Air operated captured Bf 108s and postwar built Nord 1000 aircraft.
- Polish Air Force operated a few captured Bf 108s postwar.
- Soviet Air Force operated several captured Bf 108s.
- Royal Air Force
impounded four Bf 108s on the outbreak of World War II and put into service, where they were designated Messerschmitt Aldon. As a light communications aircraft, it was the fastest type the RAF had at the time, but they caused some confusion by being mistaken for attacking Bf 109s. Post-war, 15 more captured Bf 108s flew in RAF colours.[3]
RAF Aldon
- A single Bf 108B was purchased by the U.S. Military Attaché for Air in the spring of 1939 for $14,378 and designated XC-44. It was repossessed by the Nazi government in December 1941 (after having been condemned in November).
Specifications (Bf 108B)
Data from Jane's AWA 1938[5]
General characteristics
- Crew: 1
- Length: 8.3 m (27 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
- Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in)
- Wing area: 16 m² (172 ft²)
- Empty weight: 806 kg (1,775 lb)
- Loaded weight: 1,350 kg (2,976 lb)
- Powerplant: 1× Argus As 10C air-cooled inverted V-8, 179 kW (240 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 305 km/h (190 mph)
- Range: 1,000 km (620 mi)
- Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft) with 4 people and baggage
- Rate of climb: 5.21 m/s (1,194 ft/m) to 1,000 m (3,048 ft)
- Wing loading: 83.4 kg/m² (17.1 lb/ft²)
- Power/mass: 0.133 kW/kg (0.081 hp/lb)
Popular culture
Bf 108s and postwar Nord 1000s, played the role of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters in war movies, including The Longest Day, 633 Squadron and Von Ryan's Express.
See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
- List of military aircraft of Germany
- List of aircraft of the RAF
- List of military aircraft of the United States
References
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Craig, James F. The Messerschmitt Bf.109. New York: Arco Publishing Company, 1968.
- Cross, Roy and Gerald Scarborough. Messerschmitt Bf 109 Versions B-E (Classic Aircraft No. 2, Their History and How to Model Them). London: Patrick Stevens, 1972. ISBN 0-85059-106-6.
- Feist, Uwe. The Fighting Me 109. London: Arms and Armour Press, 1993. ISBN 1-85409-209-X.
- Grey, C.G. "Messerschmitt Bf 108." Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1938. London: David & Charles, 1972. ISBN 0715-35734-4.
- Hitchcock, Thomas H. Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (Monogram Close-Up 5). Acton, MA: Monogram Aviation Publications, 1979. ISBN 0-914144-05-7.
- Smith, J. Richard. Messerschmitt: An Aircraft Album. London: Ian Allen, 1971. ISBN 7110-0224-X.
External links
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