Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt Bf 110
The Messerschmitt Bf 110 was a twin‑engine heavy fighter developed in the mid‑1930s by the German company Messerschmitt. First flying in 1936, it entered Luftwaffe service in 1937 as a fast, long‑range escort for bombers and as a night‑fighter. Its all‑metal construction, clean aerodynamic lines and retractable landing gear gave it a top speed of about 560 km/h and a range exceeding 2,000 km, unusual for fighters of the era. Powered by two Daimler‑Benz DB 601 liquid‑cooled V‑12 engines, the Bf 110 carried a powerful armament of two 20 mm cannon and four 7.92 mm machine guns, later upgraded with upward‑firing R‑barrage cannons for night interception. The aircraft excelled in the early Blitzkrieg, but suffered heavy losses against more maneuverable single‑engine opponents during the Battle of Britain. Adapted as a dedicated night‑fighter, the Bf 110 became the backbone of Germany’s nocturnal air defence, scoring many victories with radar‑guided interceptions. Its versatile design influenced later twin‑engine fighters and underscored the strategic value of multi‑role combat aircraft in World War II aviation. Over 6,000 units were built, and the Bf 110’s legacy lives on in modern twin‑engine fighter concepts that balance speed, firepower, and range.
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 6,170
- First Flight
- 1936
- Service Entry
- 1939