Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun
| Messerschmitt Bf 108 | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Communications | |
| Crew | ||
| First Flight | 1936 | |
| Entered Service | ||
| Manufacturer | Messerschmitt | |
| Dimensions | ||
| 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 |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 860 kg | 1,887 lb |
| Loaded | 1,400 kg | 3,087 lb |
| Maximum takeoff | kg | lb |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engine | Argus As10 | |
| Power | 200 kW | 270 hp |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 315 km/h @ 300 m | 196 mph @ 1,000 ft |
| Combat range | 1,000 km | 620 miles |
| Ferry range | km | miles |
| Service ceiling | 6,200 m | 20,300 ft |
| Rate of climb | m/min | ft/min |
| Wing loading | 87.5 kg/m² | 17.9 lb/ft² |
| Power/Mass | 0.143 kW/kg | 0.087 hp/lb |
The Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun was a single-engined sports and touring aircraft developed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. The highly produced Messerschmitt Bf 109 was based extensively on this design.
It was adopted into Luftwaffe service during World War II, where it was primarily used as a personnel transport and liaison aircraft.
The photo shows one of four Bf 108s which were impounded in Britain on the outbreak of World War II and put into RAF service, where they were designated Messerschmitt Aldon. As a light communications aircraft it was the fastest type the RAF had at the time, but they caused some confusion by being mistaken for attacking Bf 109s.
The nickname 'Taifun' or 'Typhoon' was given to the aircraft by German aviatrix Elly Beinhorn, the second woman to fly solo around the world.
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).
Production of the Bf 108 was transferred to occupied France during World War II as the Nord 1000.
Operators
- Bulgaria, France (Post war), Germany, Hungary, Romania, United Kingdom, Yugoslavia,
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