BFW M.21
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1928 · light aircraft
The BFW M.21 was a German light training monoplane produced by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke in 1928, designed to provide basic flight instruction in a simple and economical parasol-wing airframe. BFW later reorganised as Messerschmitt AG.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 7.3 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German interwar training biplane — with the M.22, one of Messerschmitt's only two biplane designs
- Equal-span fabric-covered wings with open tandem cockpits
- Fixed tailwheel undercarriage and single light piston engine
The M.21's parasol high-wing layout and open tandem cockpits resemble other German interwar trainers such as the Udet Flamingo; its BFW provenance connects it to Messerschmitt's early corporate history.
Specifications
- The BFW M.21 has a length of 7.3 m (24 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10 m (33 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 156 km/h (97 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Produced in small numbers during the late Weimar Republic period, the M.21 served with German civil flying schools at a time when the country was rebuilding its aviation infrastructure under the constraints of the Versailles Treaty. Its straightforward design reflected the practical needs of the era.
Variants
Variations in engine fit were the main differences between batches; documentation is limited.
Where you'll see it
Used by German civil flying clubs and aero schools in the late 1920s and early 1930s.
Related aircraft
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