MESSERSCHMITT BF 109 E

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the principal Luftwaffe fighter during the early part of the war and was first flown in 1935. It entered service in 1937, seeing action in the Spanish Civil War in the B and C types. Several variants of the E model were used in 1940, including the E-1, E-3, and E-4. However, by late October 1940, the improved Messerschmitt Bf 109 F was starting to come into service although the E models remained in use, and operating over Britain, well into 1941.

One asset of the type was its fuel injection system which gave an advantage by allowing the aircraft to go into a steep dive without loss of power. The aircraft was less robust and more difficult to handle than the Spitfire or Hurricane and it was prone to ground handling mishaps. Many were lost in take-off or landing accidents. Nevertheless, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a nimble and effective fighter, and more-or-less on a par with its Spitfire counterpart during the Battle of Britain.

As an escort fighter, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 had a theoretical radius of around 200 miles and at a cruising speed of around 298 mph, but this was greatly reduced by the distance covered in rendezvousing with the bombers and taking evasive action. Its fighting time over Britain was thus limited, and a considerable number of Messerschmitt Bf 109s were lost in the Channel or else just managed to make the French coast due to low fuel states after operational flights over Britain.

The aircraft was also modified for use as a fighter-bomber later in 1940 with a centrally mounted single 250 kg bomb. The use of the Messerschmitt

Bf 109 as a fighter-bomber continued into 1941 with attacks against targets in southeast England and later included the Messerschmitt Bf 109 F in this role.

As a fighter aircraft, different versions were either equipped with four x 7.92 mm machine guns or two x 7.92 mm machine guns and two x 20 mm cannon.

In a variety of upgraded versions, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 remained in service throughout the war and became one of the mainstays of the German fighter arm. in all theatres of operation.

Left Many Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters were brought down over England in 1940 and several of them were taken for exhibition around the British Isles. This example was shot down at Mayfield, Sussex, on 9 September 1940 and later displayed at Stanhay’s Garage, Ashford.

Above By late 1940, a number of Messerschmitt Bf 109s had been converted to fighter-bombers, carrying a single 250 kg slung under the fuselage.