BFW M.22
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke · Germany · first flew 1928 · bomber
The BFW M.22 was a German medium bomber biplane designed by Willy Messerschmitt for Bayerische Flugzeugwerke, first flown in 1928 and one of only two biplane designs in Messerschmitt's career. A single example was built under Weimar-era military secrecy restrictions.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Upper wing raised on faired centre-section pylon above fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Messerschmitt biplane bomber — one of only two biplane designs he created
- Upper wing raised on faired centre-section pylon above fuselage
- Twin Jupiter radials; only one built
A biplane with the upper wing raised on a streamlined pylon above the fuselage, twin Jupiter radials, and a braced conventional tail. The raised upper wing and overall size distinguish it from smaller German training biplanes of the same era.
Specifications
- The BFW M.22 has a length of 13.6 m (45 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 17 m (56 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 220 km/h (137 mph).
- Typical crew: 3-4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The M.22 was designed against a covert Reichswehr requirement for a bomber capable of being deniably classified as a civil aircraft. The upper wing was mounted on a faired pylon above the fuselage — a distinctive feature that also appeared on some transport biplanes of the era. The design was unsuccessful and not developed further.
Variants
Single prototype only.
Where you'll see it
Never entered service; evaluated and abandoned.
Related aircraft
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