Messerschmitt Bf 108

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Messerschmitt Bf 108
Image:Messerschmitt Bf108.jpg
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.

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