Messerschmitt Bf 161

The Messerschmitt Bf 161 was a German twin‑engine reconnaissance prototype developed in the late 1930s. Although the aircraft never entered mass production, its design was a direct off‑shoot of Robert Lusser’s earlier work on the Bf 110 heavy fighter, and it reflected Lusser’s emphasis on aerodynamic efficiency and modular construction. First flown in 1937, the Bf 161 featured a low‑wing monoplane layout, all‑metal stressed‑skin fuselage, and retractable landing gear. Powered by two Daimler‑Benz DB 600A V‑12 engines delivering 1,000 hp each, the prototype could reach a top speed of around 470 km/h (292 mph) and had a service ceiling of 9,000 meters. Its spacious nose and glazed cockpit were intended for photographic equipment and navigation aids, making it suitable for long‑range strategic reconnaissance. Although the Luftwaffe ultimately preferred the Ju 88 and later variants of the Bf 110 for the role, the Bf 161’s structural concepts and twin‑engine layout influenced subsequent Messerschmitt designs, notably the Me 410 and the development of high‑altitude reconnaissance conversions. The aircraft remains an important footnote in aviation history, illustrating the experimental mindset of German engineers on the eve of World II.

Robert Lusser

Messerschmitt Bf 161

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification