Messerschmitt Bf 161

Messerschmitt · Germany · first flew 1938 · bomber

The Messerschmitt Bf 161 was a German twin-engine heavy fighter prototype developed in the mid-1930s as a Zerstörer (destroyer) candidate. It competed against the Bf 110 for Luftwaffe orders but was not selected for production.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.85 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

German pre-WWII twin-engine heavy fighter/destroyer prototype
Twin engines on low-tapered wings, glazed nose section
Competed unsuccessfully against the Bf 110

A clean twin-engine low-wing monoplane with tapered wings, a glazed nose section, and a conventional tail — closely resembling the Bf 110 in overall layout.

Specifications

The Messerschmitt Bf 161 has a length of 12.85 m (42 ft).
It has a wingspan of 16.69 m (55 ft).
Its maximum speed is 440 km/h (273 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (later Messerschmitt), the Bf 161 was built as a twin-engine heavy fighter and long-range escort. First flown in 1938, it represented an alternative approach to the Bf 110 that ultimately won the Luftwaffe competition. The Bf 161 was evaluated but found inferior to the Bf 110 in most respects and was not ordered into production.

Variants

Only a small number of prototypes were built; the closely related Bf 162 was a light bomber variant of the same basic design.

Where you'll see it

The Bf 161 never entered Luftwaffe service; the Bf 110 was selected instead as the standard Zerstörer twin-engine heavy fighter.

Related aircraft

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