Messerschmitt 110

[Kutscha]

Discussion on 110 myths
http://www.hitechcreations.com/frindex.html

See: Community > Forums > Aircraft and Vehicles

[GregP]

The Bf-110C-4 had an empty weight of 11350 lbs and a normal max weight of 14876 lbs. It had a wing area of 414.4 square feet, giving it a wing loading at normal max weight of 35.9 pounds per square foot. It had two DB 601A-1 engines of 1100 hp each, giving it a power loading of 6.8 pounds per horsepower.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3 had an empty weight of 4439 lbs and a normal max weight of 5519 lbs. It had a wing area of 174.0 square feet, giving it a wing loading at normal max weight of 31.7 pounds per square foot. It had one DB 601A engine of 1125 hp, giving it a power loading of 4.9 pounds per horsepower.

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk I had an empty weight of 4517 lbs and a normal max weight of 5844 lbs. It had a wing area of 242.0 square feet, giving it a wing loading at normal max weight of 24.2 pounds per square foot. It had one Merlin I engine of 1030 hp, giving it a power loading of 5.7 pounds per horsepower.

The Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIB had an empty weight of 5499 lbs and a normal max weight of 7297 lbs. It had a wing area of 257.4 square feet, giving it a wing loading at normal max weight of 28.3 pounds per square foot. It had one Merlin XX engine of 1280 hp, giving it a power loading of 5.7 pounds per horsepower.

From the above, we can clearly deduce that the wing loading and power loading both favor the single engine fighters, with the Bf 109 having a heavier wing loading than either the Spitfire or Hurricane (less maneuverable) while enjoying a power advantage (better climb rate).

Now wing loading is not the only factor in maneuverability. The airfoil is a key factor. Slats help too as would maneuvering flaps if installed. It so happens that the airfoil section of both the Bf 109 and the Bf 110 were very close to one another, both having been selected by Willy Messerschmitt.

From the numbers, it is clear that the Bf 110 could not really “keep up” with the single engine fighters in a turn, but it wasn’t all that far behind, either. Unfortunately, in combat, 2nd place is usually fatal.

By the way, my database has 349 piston fighters in it with enough data to calculate wing and power loading. The lowest wing loading is the Soviet Polikarpov I-15 biplane at 13.2 pounds per square foot. The highest is the US Lockheed XP-58 at 75.0 pounds per square foot.

The best power loading is the Japanese Nakajima Ki-44 III “Shoki” at 2.68 pounds per hp. The worst is the North American F-82 at 15.4 pounds per hp at normal max weight.

[Lightning]

And the "myths" to be refuted are...? I have read over the web site and find it very interesting. A lot of statements are made about the Bf-110--many positive. These comments were made by posters such as ourselves, so their conclusions are no better (nor worse)than ours.

Some of those folks seem quite knowledgeable. I hope they find their way to our site sometimes.