The First Modern Fighter Incorporating Standard Features of Modern Fighters
With the Messerschmitt Bf 109, officially shortened to Bf 109, the Nazis developed the world’s first low wing, retractable wheels, all metal monoplane fighter aircraft. That was an innovative design, subsequently used by all WWII combatants. An argument could be made that the Bf 109, Germany’s iconic fighter of WWII , was the most successful fighter platform of the war. Which is not to say that the 109 was the best fighter of the war, but that its design was the conflict’s most solid and serviceable.
Initial plans dated to 1934, and a prototype was flown in 1935. The first production model entered operational service in 1937, and soon thereafter saw combat in the Spanish Civil War. Aside from the Spitfire, the Bf 109 was the only fighter that was deployed in front line service at war’s beginning in 1939, and remained in front line service, still effective against newer fighters, until war’s end.
The essence of the Bf 109 was to take the smallest feasible airframe, and hook it up to the most powerful engine possible. The design had flaws, such as a cramped cockpit, a poor rear view, and a narrow undercarriage that made ground handling dangerous to inexperienced pilots. Also, small size meant limited fuel capacity, which reduced the fighter’s range. That proved problematic during the Battle of Britain, when Bf 109s were usually limited to just 15 minutes’ worth of fighting over Britain, before dwindling fuel forced them to disengage and fly back home.
Still, the basic concept of a small airframe married to a big was successful. It allowed for progressive upgrades as more powerful engines became available, and kept the Bf 109 competitive throughout the war. The adaptable design allowed the plane to progress from the early 109D model in 1939, which had a top speed of 320 m.p.h., to the 109K model at war’s end, capable of 452 m.p.h.
Eric Hartman, the war’s (and history’s) top ace with 352 kills, flew the Bf 109. Indeed, the top three aces of the war, with over 900 kills between them, flew 109s. They ran up those scores on the Eastern Front against the Soviets, but the top scoring ace against the Western Allies also flew a Bf 109. While originally designed for interceptor and fighter escort roles, the 109 was sufficiently adaptable to serve in other roles, including ground attack, and reconnaissance. Almost 34,000 were manufactured between 1936 and 1945, making the Bf 109 the most produced fighter aircraft in history.