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Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (Typhoon)

1934 COLD WAR GOLDEN AGE WORLD WAR 2

History

The record high performance Messerschmitt Bf 108 "Taifun" ("Taifun") was born as a prototype named "M37". The design is credited to engineer Willy Messerschmitt, who would go on to design and develop the superb Bf 109, the main fighter of the Luftwaffe during World War II.

This type of production is taken over by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. The Bf 108 was specially developed for the 4th Pre-War International Tourism Challenge, which will be held in Poland from late August to September as part of the International Aviation Federation.

The aircraft has a traditional design with a streamlined fuselage large enough for the crew to sit side by side. The engine was mounted in the forward compartment (driving a two-bladed propeller assembly) forward of the cockpit, while the fuselage tapered into a raised empennage with a flattened circular vertical fin. Horizontal planes were added at the bottom of the rudder and reinforced with struts on earlier models. The main wing assembly is a low-mounted straight monoplane with a rounded tip. The landing gear is retractable and the main gear legs are recessed under each wing root.

The tail wheel was always kept lowered, although earlier versions had a simple skid in its place. The cockpit glass is thick, and from the inside there is above-average visibility.

In addition to the first competition M37 prototype in 1934, a few other airframes were produced, officially designated "Bf 108A", most of which were powered by Hirth HM 8U engines, and perhaps more notably, The enlarged interior cabin accommodates two additional passengers. The few Bf 108A models were followed by the slightly modified but definitive "Bf 108B" model in 1935, preceded by a prototype equipped with a Siemens Sh14A radial piston engine. Production-quality versions then moved to the Argus 10C or 10E with 240 and 266 horsepower, respectively.

Equipped with an improved rear wing and a new window design, the B model represents the final product of the entire Bf 108 range. Top speed is 190 mph and range is up to 620 miles. Maximum operational service is capped at 20,300 feet.

Although the Bf 108 lost the 1934 challenge to Poland, the Bf 108 remained the subject of several airborne endurance records in the mid to late 1930s. In the coming world war, it's only natural that this display would lead to a lot of usage. The choice of engine and compact airframe resulted in a highly powered mount that boosted good range figures, so the type was pressed into war service during World War II as a formidable liaison observation platform and VIP transport.

In these roles, the aircraft performs exceptionally well thanks to its solid all-metal construction and strong low-speed handling. During the war, most locally produced Bf 108s operated under the banner of the Luftwaffe. As wartime demands proved a need for more fighter types at major German factories, production of the less important Bf 108s was shifted to what is now occupied France, giving France a wealth of experience in building aircraft, which eventually led to more local post-war production. Multi-advanced Bf 108 form.

The Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) was another major Axis power that used unarmed Bf 108s during the war, as did the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service. Bulgaria has procured six such aircraft, mainly for training a new generation of pilots.

Several examples of captures along the Eastern Front are included in the Soviet Air Force's inventory.

Beyond the A and B models, the Bf 108C became a proposed (though ultimately abandoned) high performance model with a 395 hp Hirth HM 512 series engine. The "Me 208" is another advanced wartime Bf 108 development with a modern, fully retractable tricycle landing gear and larger overall dimensions.

Only two prototypes were completed in occupied France before liberation, although the model was sold to 200 by the SNCAN (Societe Nationale de Constructions Aeronatiques du Nord) in the post-war years (SNCAN became Air North in 1954). Likewise, the Nord Pingouin (series 1000, 1001 and 1002, the latter two with French Renault engines) were post-war French-built variants of the Bf 108 with a total of 286 built.

A total of 885 Bf 108s exist and are in use worldwide. Operators include Brazil, China, Croatia, Czechoslovakia (post-war known as "K-70"), Hungary, Manchukuo, Norway (post-war), Poland (post-war, captured example), Romania, Spain, Switzerland, United States and Yugoslavia.

German aviator Elly Beinhorn-Rosemeyer (1907-2007) nicknamed the Bf 108 "Taifun" (which translates to "Typhoon"), and she named her mount accordingly. After publication, the name Taifeng finally landed and has since become the symbol of the entire series.

The Bf 108 also influenced the design and development of the upcoming Bf 109 fighter line in 1937.