Aircrafttotal Encyclopedia

The Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (English: "Typhoon") was a German single-engine sport and touring aircraft, developed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in the 1930s. The Bf 108 was of all-metal construction.

Originally designated the M 37, the aircraft was designed as a four-seat sports/recreation aircraft for competition in the 4th Challenge International de Tourisme (1934). The M 37 prototype flew first in spring 1934, powered by a 250 PS (247 hp, 184 kW) Hirth HM 8U 8.0 litre displacement, air-cooled inverted-V8 engine, which drove a three-blade propeller. Although it was outperformed by several other aircraft in the competition, the M 37's overall performance marked it as a popular choice for record flights. Particular among these traits was its low fuel consumption rate, good handling, and superb takeoff and landing characteristics.

Variants

Bf 108A: Initial version designed in 1934 for use in Challenge 1934. Six were built with the Hirth HM 8U, one other initially had a 220 PS (217 hp, 162 kW) Argus As 17B inline engine and later a 160 PS (158 hp, 118 kW) Siemens-Halske Sh 14 radial.
Bf 108B: Revised version, built from late 1935. The prototype had a Siemens-Halske Sh 14A radial, but production machines used the 240 PS (237 hp, 177 kW) Argus As 10C or the 270 PS (266 hp, 199 kW) Argus As 10E. A quadrant-shaped rather than rectangular rear window, tailwheel replacing skid, revision of shape of empennage and removal of tailplane upper bracing.
Bf 108C: Proposed high-speed version, powered by a 400 PS (395 hp, 294 kW) Hirth HM 512 engine. Probably not built.

Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Messerschmitt

Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Messerschmitt
Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun

General Info

Crew: 1 or 2
Capacity: 2 or 3 passengers
Length: 8.29 m (27 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 10.5 m (34 ft 5 in)
Height: 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in)
Wing area: 16.4 m² (177 sq ft)

Powerplant

Empty weight: 806 kg (1,777 lb) Gross weight: 1,350 kg (2,976 lb) Powerplant: 1 × Argus As 10C V-8 inverted air-cooled piston engine, 174 kW (233 hp) Propellers: 2-bladed variable-pitch propeller

Performance

Maximum speed: 305 km/h (190 mph
Cruise speed: 260 km/h (160 mph,
Landing speed: 85 km/h (53 mph;
Range: 1,000 km (620 mi, 540 nmi) at 250 km/h (160 mph; 130 kn)
Service ceiling: 6,200 m (20,300 ft) (with 3 pax + 50 kg (110 lb) baggage)

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Special Links Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Messerschmitt

Links to Youtube & Others

The Bf 108A first flew in 1934, followed by the Bf 108B in 1935. The Bf 108B used the substantially larger, 12.67 litre displacement Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 engine. The nickname Taifun (German for "typhoon") was given to her own aircraft by Elly Beinhorn, a well-known German pilot, and was generally adopted

Messerschmitt
Bf 108 Taifun

Development of the type continue and in 1935 the Bf 108B appeared with the fin and rudder having undergone modifications.

Youtube Link

Conceived as a competitive aircraft the Bf 108 would take part in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Messerschmitt AG
Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun

Messerschmitt
Bf 108 Taifun

.

History Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) Messerschmitt AG
Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun