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The Globe At War |
Messerschmitt built Germany's primary air superiority fighter during World War II; the Me-109. The single engine Me-109 featured several excellent performance characteristics; it was a light, maneuverable and speedy aircraft. Unfortunately the Me-109, just as the Stuka, only flew short distances. In spite of the Me-109's short range it eventually became the most prolifically produced fighter of the War, with over 35,000 continuously upgraded Me-109 models assembled during the Second World War. Early in the War the most common model Me-109 was the "Emil", an aircraft that could reach speeds of 357 mph and matched up well with its most advanced early war competitors; the French Dewoitine D.520 fighter and early marks of the British Supermarine Spitfire. Given the D.520 only made into battle in a limited fashion it was the competition with the Spitfire that was the most important. In this contest, the Me-109E outclassed the Spitfire in several important aspects; including speed at altitudes above 20,000 feet. The Spitfire nonetheless had its own advantages over the Me-109E and below 20,000 feet the Spitfires superior handling provided a crucial edge over the Me-109E. Picture Courtesy of Deutsches Bundesarchiv (German Federal Archive), Bild 101I-379-0015-18 |
Messerschmitt Me-109 Fighter |