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:

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Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:

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Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:

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Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:


Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:


Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:


Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:


Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:


Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:

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Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:

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Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter:

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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:

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Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter and a Italian Fiat G.50:

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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