Messerschmitt 109 Design Problems

[RT]

trying to prove German superiority in several areas, but mostly it is not justified at all.
?????

At least they are the first to put a radar on a horse...



http://cgi.ebay.de/WWII-Foto-Funker-...QQcmdZViewItem

[Dick Powers]

Ah yes... the famous "Nacht Cavalry" with the steed camouflaged in late-war overall hellblau.

[Kutscha]

The 190 with the dual 20mm gunpods had a loss of speed of between 19 and 25mph, depending of the height.

One must really question the 109 speed loss with gondolas as the tiny bomb racks on a P-51 resulted in a greater speed loss.

[George Hopp]

T

he 190 with the dual 20mm gunpods had a loss of speed of between 19 and 25mph, depending of the height.

In spite of the increased firepower of those dual 20mm gunpods, it was not popular because it reduced maeuverability, speed, and ceiling.

This was the problem with the 109 gondolas. They may not have done much to reduce speed or ceiling, but they certainly reduced maneuverability. And, without the gondola-mounted guns, the firepower of the 109 was pretty pathetic.

[odybvig]

"the firepower of the 109 was pretty pathetic"

Hmmmm strange that it managed to shoot down so many enemy aircrafts with such pathetic firepower.

Best
Olve

[George Hopp]

"the firepower of the 109 was pretty pathetic"

Hmmmm strange that it managed to shoot down so many enemy aircrafts with such pathetic firepower.

Best
Olve

Actually, I was mainly thinking about their effectiveness against the USAAF heavy bombers. But, as Galland said, they would have done far better with more weapons. As it was, the great fliers and fighters did well, the less well fliers and fighters quickly faded from the scene.

And, sadly, that was only one aspect of the Bf 109. It could have been so much better. But, as we pig farmers might say: "It was always left sucking the hind tit." And, only minimal effort was expended in making it a more effective a/c because the major effort was always being spent on its successors, which never worked out. It is hard to realize just how many improvements, that could have made the 109 more deadly, easier to control in high speed flight, and easier to land and take-off, had been tested early in the war, and not instituted until near war's end, and sometimes not even then.