Messerschmitt Bf 109B-1
Messerschmitt · Germany · first flew 1937 · fighter
The Messerschmitt Bf 109B-1 'Bertha' was the first series-production variant of the legendary Bf 109 fighter, powered by the Junkers Jumo 210D engine. It represented a significant advance in fighter design when it entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1937.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 8.55 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Early production Bf 109 with Jumo 210 engine
- Fixed-pitch two-blade propeller
- Small square wingtips and narrow undercarriage
Distinguished from later Bf 109 variants by its two-blade fixed-pitch propeller, small exhausts, and the relatively small engine cowling of the Jumo 210; the characteristic narrow undercarriage and squared wingtips are shared with all early Bf 109 marks.
Specifications
- The Messerschmitt Bf 109B-1 has a length of 8.55 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 9.87 m (32 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 463 km/h (288 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Bf 109B-1 entered production in early 1937 after the successful trials of the Bf 109A. A number of B-1s were sent to Spain to serve with the Legion Condor during the Spanish Civil War, providing invaluable combat experience. The type was quickly superseded by the C and D variants with more powerful engines.
Variants
The B-1 was followed by the B-2 with a variable-pitch propeller; the broader Bf 109 family developed through C, D, E, F, G, K, and other variants throughout WWII.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Luftwaffe fighter units (Jagdgeschwader) from 1937; saw combat in the Spanish Civil War with the Legion Condor and was still in some front-line units at the start of World War Two before being relegated to training.
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- Messerschmitt Bf 109 D
- Messerschmitt Bf 162
- Messerschmitt Bf 109E
- Messerschmitt Bf 110
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- Blackburn Skua
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