What’s Inside the BF 109

The Luftwaffe’s Deadly Workhorse

The Messerschmitt Bf-109, history’s most prolific and lethal fighter, served as the backbone of the German Luftwaffe during WWII. Among its many variants, the G-series “Gustav,” particularly the G-6, stood out, with over 12,000 produced.

Airframe & Armament

The G-6 featured an all-metal construction with a single-spar wing and fabric-covered control surfaces, designed for lightness and easy maintenance. It measured 29 feet 4 inches in length and 8 feet 6 inches in height. Its standard armament included:

• A 20 mm MG-151 cannon firing through the propeller hub (200 rounds).
• Two 13 mm MG-131 machine guns over the engine (300 rounds each).

Engine & Performance

Powered by the DB 605 A-1 engine, the G-6 produced 1,475 hp, achieving a top speed of 400 mph (466 mph in a dive) and climbing at 3,543 ft/min. It could reach altitudes up to 39,000 feet. Despite its cramped cockpit, pilots appreciated its ergonomic layout with switches within easy reach.

Legacy

The Bf-109 remains the most produced single-seat fighter in history, with 34,000 built. It racked up 30,000 aerial kills, making it the deadliest fighter of all time. However, by the G-6’s introduction in 1943, Germany was losing the war’s momentum. The Bf-109’s legacy endures as a symbol of aerial dominance and engineering prowess.