The Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (English: Typhoon) is a single-engine sport and touring aircraft designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW). It was the first aircraft of its size to feature all-metal stressed skin construction. The resulting aircraft, which was internally designated as M 37 and subsequently received the official designation Bf 108, was a four-seat sports/recreation aircraft designed by the aeronautical engineer Willy Messerschmitt.

In terms of its design, the Bf 108 represented a departure from many of the company's existing design practices; foremost of which, it was the first aircraft of its size to use all-metal stressed skin construction. Even during these early flights, the aircraft proved to be relatively safe yet quick, possessing excellent low-speed flight characteristics and being pleasant to fly. Furthermore, the aircraft's metal structure proved to be fairly maintenance-friendly.

During 1934, the first production-standard model, designated Bf 108A, made its first flight. One year later, it was followed by the Bf 108B, which was powered by the substantially larger, 12.67 litre displacement Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 engine.

Operational history

As planned, the BF 108 participated in the 4th Challenge International de Tourisme. The aircraft involved in the Mechelen Incident was a Bf 108 and one served with the small long-range bombing group based in Africa.

Mid-way through the conflict, production of the Bf 108 was transferred from Germany to Les Mureaux in occupied France. After the war, these assembly lines remained in the possession of the French aircraft manufacturer SNCAN; that continued production of the type as the Nord 1000 Pingouin. Many of the postwar movie portrayals of the Bf 108 have been performed by the French-built derivatives of the type, which include the Pingouin and the further-improved Nord Noralpha.

;Nord 1100 Noralpha

:Bf 108 derivative built after the war by SNCAN in France with tricycle landing gear and a Renault engine.

Operators

thumb|right|Bf 108 B-1, Lufthansa's D-EBEI at Duxford 2009

thumb|right|Bf 108B Taifun, Messerschmitt-Stiftung

thumb|right|The Bf 108 as used by the Swiss Air Force during World War II. Aviation Museum / [[Flieger-Flab-Museum in Dübendorf, Switzerland.]]

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  • Varig

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  • Bulgarian Air Force Six aircraft purchased, used mainly for training.

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  • Chinese Nationalist Air Force

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  • Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia

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  • Czechoslovak Air Force operated this type postwar under designation K-70.

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  • Armée de l'Air operated captured Bf 108s and postwar-built Nord 1000 aircraft.

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  • Luftwaffe

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  • Royal Hungarian Air Force operated seven Bf 108s from 1937 to 1945

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  • Regia Aeronautica

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  • Imperial Japanese Army Air Service

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  • Manchukuo National Airways

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  • Royal Norwegian Air Force (Postwar)

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  • Polish Air Force operated a few captured Bf 108s postwar.

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  • Royal Romanian Air Force

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  • Spanish Air Force

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  • Swiss Air Force

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  • Soviet Air Force operated several captured Bf 108s.

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  • Royal Air Force thumb|right|RAF Aldon operated four Bf 108s, under the designation "Messerschmitt Aldon", which were impressed from private owners on the outbreak of the war. Reportedly they were the fastest light communications aircraft the RAF had, but they were also sometimes mistaken for Bf 109s although there is no record of any fatal encounters. Postwar, 15 more captured Bf 108s flew in RAF colours until the mid 1950s. Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 Vol.3 – Flugzeugtypen Henschel-Messerschmitt

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General characteristics

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|capacity= two or three passengers

|length m= 8.29

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|span m= 10.5

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|height m= 2.3

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|wing area sqm= 16.4

|wing area note=

|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->

|airfoil=root: NACA 2416; tip: NACA 2413

|empty weight kg= 806

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|gross weight kg= 1,350

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Powerplant

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|eng1 number= 1

|eng1 name= Argus As 10C

|eng1 type= V-8 inverted air-cooled piston engine

|eng1 kw= 174

|prop blade number= 2

|prop name= variable-pitch propeller

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|prop dia note=

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Performance

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|max speed kmh= 305

|max speed note=

|cruise speed kmh= 260

|cruise speed note=

  • Landing speed:

|stall speed kmh=

|stall speed note=

|never exceed speed kmh=

|never exceed speed note=

|range km= 1,000

|range note= at

|combat range km=

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|ferry range km=

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|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->

|ceiling m= 6,200

|ceiling note= (with three passengers and baggage)

|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->

|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->

|climb rate ms=

|climb rate note=

|time to altitude= in three minutes and 12 seconds

:::: in seven minutes and 30 seconds

:::: in 14 minutes

:::: in 22 minutes

:::: in 39 minutes

|wing loading kg/m2= 82.3

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See also

References

Citations

Bibliography

Further reading

  • N.Z. Warbirds Association
  • Messerschmitt 108 to Nord 1002
  • Rare Aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf.108