Aviation of World War II

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Bf-110E/F

Bf 110E
  • Heavy Fighter-Bomber
  • Messerschmitt

Since the autumn of 1940, the Bf-110C / D production volume has decreased, in the spring of 1941 two new versions of this machine appeared - the Bf-110E and Bf-110F. The first of these was the same Bf-110D, but with new equipment, improved crew protection, local airframe reinforcements and underwing holders for four 50 kg bombs, installed in addition to a pair of standard ventral pods for 500 kg bombs. The machine was produced in versions from Bf-110E to E-3.

The first production Bf 110E-1s also had DB 601A engines, but later they were equipped with DB 601N. The Bf 110E-1/U1 modification was the first truly night fighter equipped with infrared devices for night search of enemy aircraft by hot exhaust. In addition, Bf 110E-1 / U2 were produced with a place for a third crew member. The Bf 110E-1 fighter-bomber, in addition to the main bomb load under the fuselage, could carry four more 50-kg bombs under the wing on ETC 50 bomb racks, or two 300-liter additional fuel tanks instead of bombs. The Bf 110E-1/R2 was equipped with two ETC 1000 bomb racks under the fuselage for a pair of 1000kg bombs, with the ETC 50 wing bomb racks retractable.

In 1942, a modification of the Bf 110E-2 fighter-bomber appeared. This aircraft was similar to the D-3, equipped with DB 601N engines, and its bomb load was increased to 2000 kg.

The next modification - the Bf 110E-3 reconnaissance aircraft - is similar to the C-5 reconnaissance aircraft, but had an extended tail section, like the D-3. Cannons and bomb racks under the fuselage were removed from it, instead of which photographic equipment was installed. The scout could carry two 300-l or 900-l tanks under the wing.

The Bf-110F modification, which appeared a little later, was designed for the new DB-601F engine and was produced in the F-1 fighter and F-3 bomber fighter versions until the F-4 night fighter appeared with an early model installed on it radar Liechtenstein.

A total of 6050 Bf-110 aircraft of all models were produced before the end of production in March 1945.

Bf.110E-1 Zerstorer-Stab IV.JG5 LN+KF, Finland

Bf.110E-1 Zerstorer-Stab IV.JG5 LN+KF, Finland



Specification
Crew 2
Dimensions
Wing span, m 16.2
Length, m 12.1
Height, m 4.13
Powerplant
2 X PE DB-601F, hp 1350
Weight, kg:
Empty weight 5600
Maximum takeoff weight 7500
Performance
Maximum speed, km/h 565
Time to 6000m, min 9
Service ceiling, m 11500
Service range, m 1400
Armament
2 × 20-mm cannon and 4 × 7.62-mm machine-gun in the nose,
7,62-mm machine-guns in in rear cockpit
2 + 1
Photo Description
Drawing Bf 110E/F

Bf 110E/F with the FuG 220SN-2c radar.

Bf 110E (W.Nr.3404 ? - U8+AK)

Bf 110E (W.Nr.3404 ? - U8+AK) from 2./ZG 26 during strikes against Yugoslavia. On the nose is the insignia of I/ZG 26.

The Bf 110F-2 successfully used 210mm rockets

The Bf 110F-2 successfully used 210mm rockets (Wfr.Gr. 21) against enemy bombers. This armament became standard on the next model, the Bf 110G.

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Bibliography

  • "Aviation of Luftwaffe" /Viktor Shunkov/
  • "Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zenstorer" /Sergey Kuznetsov, 2001/
  • "Encyclopedia of military engineering" /Aerospace Publising/