Did The BF-109 Have the Smallest WW2 Cockpit?

Inside the BF-109 Cockpit

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 has earned quite a reputation for having a small cockpit. When asked about the cockpit ergonomics, Volker Bau, a display pilot, muses, “If they put you on a small box that’s half of your size, claustrophobia is definitely a problem and you have no space at all. The aircraft was built around the pilot, there’s not even a centimeter of space.”

Sitting on a parachute bag will also take up space. In WWII, the Bf-109 seat was initially not adjustable. However, later versions suggest that height could be changed.

According to Chris from Military Aviation, anything that’s shoulder upwards to the side and the rear is really poor. However, considering the Bf-109’s reputation, the plane’s internal layout, even with the hood down is not bad.

In fact, ergonomically speaking, there are plenty of positives. Manipulating the throttle and reaching for the important elements in switches in the cockpit is relatively straightforward. The front and sides of the cockpit have ample space.

The instrumentation of the plane is also pretty well laid out when comparing it to other aircraft of that time. While it is tight from the shoulders upwards, from the perspective of manipulating controls and keeping an eye on the gauges, there’s a lot of good stuff the plane has to offer.

Some WWII pilots say that they actually liked the tightness of the 109, giving them a very snug, homely feeling as if they were part of the plane. Do you think that the BF-109’s cockpit is really that tiny? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!