Bf 109C-1

The Messerschmitt Bf 109C‑1 was the third production variant of Germany’s iconic fighter, entering service in early 1938. Developed from the earlier B and A models, the C‑1 incorporated a more powerful Daimler‑Benz DB 601Aa engine delivering 1,100 hp, which raised the top speed to roughly 470 km/h (292 mph) at sea level. The aircraft featured a streamlined all‑metal monocoque fuselage, a narrow-track, retractable undercarriage, and a rounded, low‑drag wing layout with provisions for four 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns—two wing‑mounted and two synchronized to fire through the propeller. A small increase in wing span and revised fuel tanks gave the C‑1 a modest range improvement, allowing it to participate effectively in the early blitzkrieg campaigns of 1939‑40. Though quickly superseded by the more heavily armed Bf 109D and subsequent models, the C‑1 demonstrated the aerodynamic efficiency and high‑performance potential that made the 109 series a benchmark for fighter design. Its operational record in the Spanish Civil War and the opening months of World War II cemented the aircraft’s reputation as a versatile, agile platform that set the standard for future monoplane fighters.

Messerschmitt

Classification

Design & Classification