Messerschmitt Bf 108

The Messerschmitt Bf 108 ''Taifun'' (English: "Typhoon") is a single-engine sport and touring aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). It was the first aircraft of its size to feature all-metal stressed skin construction.

Design and development

During 1933, the German aircraft manufacturer Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) received a contract from the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM/German Aviation Ministry) to produce an aircraft to compete in the 4th ''Challenge International de Tourisme'' (1934).Smith and Kay 1972, p. 464. The resulting aircraft, which was internally designated as ''M 37'' and subsequently received the official designation ''Bf 108'', was a four-seat sports/recreation aircraft designed by the aeronautical engineer Willy Messerschmitt.Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun
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In terms of its design, the Bf 108 represented a departure from many of the company's existing design practices; foremost of which, it was the first aircraft of its size to use all-metal stressed skin construction. The wing featured a patented single- spar design and was equipped with both trailing edge flaps and leading-edge slots, the latter of which deployed automatically when the aircraft neared stall conditions. Initially, all of the flight control surfaces were hinged at their leading edges without any application of dynamical balancing. The legs of the main undercarriage pivoted near the wingroot to retract outwards into wells that almost entirely enclosed them. The aircraft was initially powered by a 250 PS (247 hp, 184 kW) Hirth HM 8U 8.0 litre displacement, air-cooled inverted-V8 engine, which drove a three-blade propeller.

By 1934, six aircraft had been produced. During spring 1934, the prototype Bf 108 conducted its maiden flight; the ensuring flight test programme was relatively smooth.Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 464-465. Even during these early flights, the aircraft proved to be relatively safe yet quick, possessing excellent low-speed flight characteristics and being pleasant to fly. Furthermore, the aircraft's metal structure proved to be fairly maintenance-friendly.Smith and Kay 1972, p. 465.

During 1934, the first production-standard model, designated ''Bf 108A'', made its first flight. One year later, it was followed by the ''Bf 108B'', which was powered by the substantially larger, 12.67 litre displacement Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 engine. Various other design changes on this model include a revised fin shape, elimination of the upper bracings of the tailplane, the adoption of a tailwheel in place of a skid, and the dynamic balancing of both the elevator and rudder. Only a few Bf 108Bs were completed prior to production of the type being transferred to a new plant in Regensburg. Serial production proceeded at a pace; by 1942, in excess of 500 aircraft had been completed.

The nickname ''Taifun'' (German for "typhoon") came from the German pilot Elly Beinhorn, who had given it to her personal aircraft; it was generally adopted thereafter.Smith 1971, pp. 36–37.

During 1941, the ''Bf 108C'' was proposed as a specialised aircraft, to be equipped with the powerful Hirth HM 512 inverted-V supercharged air-cooled engine, that was intended to achieve record-breaking performance. However, it was passed over for the ''Me 208'', an enlarged version that featured numerous alterations and improvements, including a retractable tricycle landing gear. Only a pair of prototypes were completed before the end of the Second World War.Smith and Kay 1972, p. 466.

Operational history

As planned, the BF 108 participated in the 4th ''Challenge International de Tourisme''. Although it was outperformed by several other aircraft in the competition, the overall performance of the type marked it as a popular choice for record flights. Particular among these traits was its low fuel consumption rate, good handling, and superb takeoff and landing characteristics. During the prewar years, the type was widely flown by private pilots, several of which were flying officers within ''Luftwaffe''. While the majority of aircraft produced went into German ownership, in excess of 50 Bf 108Bs were exported to countries such as Bulgaria, Hungary, Japan, Romania, Switzerland, Yugoslavia, and the Soviet Union.

The type's appearances at various parts of the world helped to bolster the reputation of both Messerschmitt and the German aeronautical sector in general. Throughout the mid-to-late 1930s, the Bf 108 was a common sight at aerial competitions, commonly placing in either first or second place in events such as the 1937 Oases rally in Egypt and the 1938 Belgian international Queen Astrid Race. Furthermore, during July 1939, one aircraft established a new altitude class record of 9,075m (29,766ft).

Early on in the Second World War, the Bf 108 was formally introduced to service with the ''Luftwaffe''. As a military aircraft, the type was primarily used as a personnel transport and liaison aircraft, ferrying pilots and personnel between air bases. It was also operated by the '' Luftdienst'', where it was typically used to perform target towing and supply operations.Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 465-466. The aircraft involved in the Mechelen Incident was a Bf 108. Furthermore, a Bf 108 served with the small long-range bombing group '' Sonderkommando Blaich'' based in Africa.

Mid-way through the conflict, production of the Bf 108 was transferred from Germany to Les Mureaux occupied France. After the conflict's end, these assembly lines remained in the possession of the French aircraft manufacturer SNCAN; the newly-liberated country promptly opted to continue production of the type as the Nord 1000 ''Pingouin''.Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 465-467.

Many of the postwar movie portrayals of the Bf 108 have been performed by the French-built derivatives of the type, which include not only the ''Pingouin'' but also the further-improved Nord Noralpha.

Variants

;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 220 PS (217 hp, 162 kW) Argus As 17B inline engine and later a 160 PS (158 hp, 118 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial.
;Bf 108B
:Revised version, built from late 1935. The prototype had a Siemens-Halske Sh 14A radial, but production machines used the 240 PS (237 hp, 177 kW) Argus As 10C or the 270 PS (266 hp, 199 kW) Argus As 10E. A quadrant-shaped rather than rectangular rear window, tailwheel replacing skid, revision of shape of empennage and removal of tailplane upper bracing.
;Bf 108C:Proposed high-speed version, powered by a 400 PS (395 hp, 294 kW) Hirth HM 512 engine. Probably not built.
;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.
; 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.Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 466-467.
; Nord 1100 ''Noralpha''
:Bf 108 derivative built after the war by SNCAN in France with tricycle landing gear and a Renault engine.Smith and Kay 1972, p. 467.

Operators

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* Varig
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* Bulgarian Air Force Six aircraft purchased, used mainly for training.
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* Chinese Nationalist Air Force
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* Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia
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* Czechoslovak Air Force operated this type postwar under designation K-70.
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* ''Armée de l'Air'' operated captured Bf 108s and postwar-built Nord 1000 aircraft.
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* ''Luftwaffe''
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* Royal Hungarian Air Force operated seven Bf 108s from 1937 to 1945
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* Regia Aeronautica
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* Imperial Japanese Army Air Service
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* Manchukuo National Airways
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* Royal Norwegian Air Force (Postwar)
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* Polish Air Force operated a few captured Bf 108s postwar.
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* Royal Romanian Air Force
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* Spanish Air Force
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* Swiss Air Force
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* Soviet Air Force operated several captured Bf 108s.
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* Royal Air Force operated four Bf 108s, under the designation "Messerschmitt Aldon", which were impressed from private owners on the outbreak of the war. Reportedly they were the fastest light communications aircraft the RAF had, but they were also sometimes mistaken for Bf 109s although there is no record of any fatal encounters. Postwar, 15 more captured Bf 108s flew in RAF colours until the mid 1950s.
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* United States Army Air Corps - in early 1939, a single Bf 108B was purchased for $14,378 and designated XC-44. It was used only by the US air attaché in Berlin. In November 1941, the aircraft was assessed as unserviceable. The airframe was seized by the Nazi government, following the commencement of hostilities, in December.
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* Yugoslav Royal Air Force

Specifications (Bf 108B)

See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

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Further reading

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External links

N.Z. Warbirds AssociationMesserschmitt 108 to Nord 1002Rare Aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf.108

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Bf 108
1930s German civil utility aircraft
1930s German military utility aircraft
Single-engined tractor aircraft
Low-wing aircraft
Aircraft first flown in 1934
Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear
Single-engined piston aircraft