Messerschmitt Bf 161

Messerschmitt · Germany · first flew 1938 · reconnaissance aircraft

The Messerschmitt Bf 161 was a German twin-engine reconnaissance aircraft prototype of the late 1930s, developed from the Bf 110. It did not enter production.

Recognition (WEFT)

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

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German twin-engined reconnaissance prototype derived from the Bf 110
Low tapered wing with an engine nacelle on each side and a glazed nose
Layout very close to the Bf 110, with a crew of three

A clean twin-engine low-wing monoplane closely resembling the Bf 110, with a glazed nose and a crew of three. Only two were built.

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: 3.

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

History

The Bf 161 was a specialised reconnaissance aircraft based on the Bf 110 and similar to the Bf 162, which was designed as a light bomber. The first prototype, V1, had two Junkers Jumo 210 engines and first flew on 9 March 1938. The second, V2, had two Daimler-Benz DB 600A engines and first flew on 30 August 1938.

Variants

Two prototypes were built, V1 with Jumo 210 engines and V2 with DB 600A engines. The related Bf 162 was designed as a light bomber.

Where you'll see it

The Bf 161 never entered Luftwaffe service, because variants of the Bf 110 could perform the reconnaissance role. The two prototypes were used for research and development, and V2 was used to tow the Me 163A Komet.

Related aircraft

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