Messerschmitt Bf 110
| Messerschmitt Bf 110
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| Description
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| Role | Fighter
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| Crew | 3
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| First Flight | May 12, 1936
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| Entered Service | 1939
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| Manufacturer | Messerschmitt A.G.
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| Dimensions
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| Length | 12.3 m | 40ft 6in
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| Wingspan | 16.3 m | 53ft 4in
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| Height | 3.3 m | 10ft 9in
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| Wing area | 38.8 m² | 414 ft²
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| Weights
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| Empty | 4,500 kg | 9,900 lbs
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| Loaded | 6,700 kg | 14,800 lbs
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| Maximum takeoff | kg | lbs
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| Powerplant
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| Engine | 2 Daimler-Benz 601 Aa
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| Power (each) | 860 kW | 1,150 hp
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| Performance
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| Maximum speed | 590 km/h | 365 mph
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| Combat range | 2,410 km | 1,500 miles
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| Ferry range | 2,800 km | 1,750 miles
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| Service ceiling | 10,500 m | 35,000 ft
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| Rate of climb | m/min | ft/min
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| Wing loading | 173 kg/m² | 35.7 lb/ft²
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| Power/Mass | 0.26 kW/kg | 0.155 hp/lb
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| Armament
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| Guns | 2 × 2 MG FF/M 20 mm cannons
4 × MG17 machine guns
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The Messerschmitt Bf110 (later Me110) was a twin-engine heavy fighter in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II.
History
Based around the concept of the long-range Zerstörer or "Destroyer Fighter" the Bf110 enjoyed some success in the Polish and French campaigns. However, the Battle of Britain revealed its fatal weaknesses as a daylight fighter against more maneuverable single-engine aircraft. Eventually withdrawn from daylight fighting, the Bf110 enjoyed later success as a night fighter where its range, firepower and ability to mount a radar stood it in good stead. It was also used as a ground attack aircraft starting with the C-4/B model. Later on there were dedicated ground attack versions which proved reasonably successful. All in all the Bf-110 served the Luftwaffe very well in various roles, except in its intended role as a heavy fighter.
After The Battle of Britain Bf-110 units largely moved to the Russian and Mediterranean theatres of war. The production of the Bf-110 was put on a low priority in 1941 and stepped up again in 1942 after the development of the Me-210, the Bf-110's intended successor, proved to be unsuccessful.
Armament
Early versions had four MG17 machine guns and two MG FF/M 20 mm cannons fitted in the nose. Later versions replaced these with the more powerful MG151/20 and some versions of the G series of aircraft had the 30 mm MK 108 cannon fitted instead.
The fighter-bomber versions could carry up to 2000 kg of bombs depending on the type. Some G series aircraft were built with the Schräge Musik off-bore gun system for shooting down bombers while passing underneath them instead of the MG81Z (7.92mm) defensive guns. These aircraft were used in the night fighter role.
