Messerschmitt Bf 108

Design and development

Originally designated the M 37, the aircraft was designed as a four-seat sports/recreation aircraft for competition in the 4th Challenge International de Tourisme (1934). The M 37 prototype flew first in spring 1934 powered by a 250 PS (247 hp, 184 kW) Hirth HM 8U inverted-V engine, which drove a three-blade propeller.

Although it was outperformed by several other aircraft in the competition, the M 37's overall performance marked it as a popular choice for record flights. Particular among these traits was its extremely low fuel consumption rate, good handling, and superb takeoff and landing characteristics.

The Bf 108A first flew in 1934, followed by the Bf 108B in 1935. The Bf 108B used the Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 engine. The nickname Taifun (German for "typhoon") was given to her own aircraft by Elly Beinhorn, a well-known German pilot, and was generally adopted.

Operational history

Soon after the first production aircraft began to roll off the assembly line in Augsburg, several Bf 108s had set endurance records.

The Bf 108 was adopted into Luftwaffe service during World War II, where it was primarily used as a personnel transport and liaison aircraft. The aircraft involved in the Mechelen Incident was a Bf 108.

Production of the Bf 108 was transferred to occupied France during World War II and production continued after the war as the Nord 1000 Pingouin.

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 As17B inline engine and later a 160 PS (158 hp, 118 kW) Siemens Sh14A radial.

Bf 108B

Revised version, built from late 1935. Prototype had a Siemens Sh14A radial, but production machines used the 240 PS (237 hp, 177 kW) Argus 10C or the 270 PS (266 hp, 199 kW) Argus 10E. Quadrant-shaped rather than rectangular rear window, tailwheel replacing skid, revision of shape of empennnage 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. A Nord Noralpha is on display at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum in Titusville, Florida, United States, which has been painted to represent an Me 208.

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.

Operators

 Brazil

Varig

 Bulgaria

Bulgarian Air Force Six aircraft purchased, used mainly for training.

 China

Chinese Nationalist Air Force

 Independent State of Croatia

Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia

 Czechoslovakia

Czechoslovak Air Force operated this type postwar under designation K-70.

 France

Armée de l'Air operated captured Bf 108s and postwar-built Nord 1000 aircraft.

 Nazi Germany

Luftwaffe

 Hungary

Royal Hungarian Air Force operated seven Bf 108s from 1937 to 1945

 Italy

Regia Aeronautica

 Japan

Imperial Japanese Army Air Service

 Manchukuo

Manchukuo National Airways

 Norway

Royal Norwegian Air Force (Postwar)

 Poland

Polish Air Force operated a few captured Bf 108s postwar.

 Romania

Royal Romanian Air Force

 Spain

Spanish Air Force

  Switzerland

Swiss Air Force

 Soviet Union

Soviet Air Force operated several captured Bf 108s.

 United Kingdom

Royal Air Force impressed four Bf 108s on the outbreak of World War II and put into service, who designated them "Messerschmitt Aldon". It was the fastest light communications aircraft the RAF had then, but they were often mistaken for Bf 109s. Postwar, 15 more captured Bf 108s flew in RAF colours.

 United States

United States Army Air Corps - A single Bf 108B was purchased by the U.S. Military Attaché for Air in the spring of 1939 for $14,378 and designated XC-44. It was repossessed by the Nazi government in December 1941 (after having been condemned in November).

 Kingdom of Yugoslavia

Yugoslav Royal Air Force

Specifications (Bf 108B)

Data from Jane's AWA 1938

General characteristics

Crew: one

Length: 8.3 m (27 ft 2 in)

Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)

Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 6 in)

Wing area: 16 m² (172 ft²)

Empty weight: 806 kg (1,775 lb)

Loaded weight: 1,350 kg (2,976 lb)

Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10C air-cooled inverted V-8, 240 PS (174 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 305 km/h (190 mph)

Range: 1,000 km (620 mi)

Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft) with 4 people and baggage

Rate of climb: 5.21 m/s (1,194 ft/m) to 1,000 m (3,048 ft)

Wing loading: 83.4 kg/m² (17.1 lb/ft²)

Power/mass: 0.133 kW/kg (0.081 hp/lb)

Popular culture

Bf 108s and postwar Nord 1000s played the role of Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters in war movies, including The Longest Day, The Great Escape, 633 Squadron, Mosquito Squadron, and Von Ryan's Express.