Aviation of World War II

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Bf-110G/H

Bf 110G-4
  • Night Fighter
  • Messerschmitt

The Bf-110G was designed to make up for the failure of the Me-210 design and appeared in 1942 as a further development of the Bf-110F with more powerful DB-605 engines. The machine was used in the defense of objects in Germany from enemy air raids - as a G-1 and G-3 day fighter and a G-4 night radar fighter. The latest version was equipped with a radar, and the armament increased with an increase in serial number.

The pre-production Bf 110G-0 appeared in May 1942 and differed from its predecessor Bf 110F with a new power plant of two DB 605В-1 engines with an output of 1475 hp each. on takeoff and 1355 hp. at an altitude of 5700m. The aircraft was fitted with new propellers with wider blades. The maximum takeoff weight of the fighter has increased to 9300 kg. On the serial Bf 110G-1, the bomb racks were removed and MG 151 guns were installed instead of the MG FF guns.

However, the G-1 became only a transitional machine. The release of the new main modification of the Bf 110G-2 aircraft was launched in December 1942. On later G-2s, as well as on the F-4, the vertical tail area was increased and the landing gear was reinforced. The armament of the aircraft consisted of four MG 17 machine guns with 1,000 rounds of ammunition and two MG 151 cannons with a total supply of 650 rounds. To increase rear protection, the single MG 15 machine gun was replaced by a twin MG-81Z machine gun with 800 rounds of ammunition.

The Bf 110G-2 could be used as a fighter or fighter-bomber. Two ETC 500 bomb racks under the center section could be replaced by two MG 151 cannons in a fairing. Each gun had 200 shells. The suspension of two 300 l fuel tanks under the wing could be replaced by 4 ETC 50 bomb racks.

Simultaneously with the G-2, other modifications of the G series were produced. These were: the Bf 110G-3 long-range reconnaissance fighter and the Bf 110G-4 night fighter.

The G-3 reconnaissance aircraft was put into mass production in July 1943. Two cameras were installed on it: Rb 50/30 and Rb 70/30, both at once. The front armament of the aircraft consisted of 4 machine guns of 7.9 mm caliber. Rear protection has been reinforced. In addition to the usual rear machine gun, a rear-firing 20mm cannon was somehow mounted in the underside of the fuselage. Provided for the suspension of two 300-liter fuel tanks under the wing consoles. In full gear, the aircraft developed a speed of 557 km / h at an altitude of 5800 m. Its flight range was 900 km. On several of these reconnaissance fighters, instead of 4 MG 17 machine guns, two MK-108 guns were installed. This version was designated Bf 110G-3/R3.

Production of the Bf 110G-4 night fighter began in the summer of 1942. It mounted the same armament as the standard G-2. The aircraft received more advanced radio equipment. In addition to the usual walkie-talkie, it included: equipment for a “blind” landing and a FuG 25 “friend or foe” determinant. From April 1943, the FuG 16 ZY transmitter began to be installed, which successfully fought radio interference, which ensured uninterrupted communication between the night fighter and the ground guidance system " Himmelbett". Heavy American bombers had powerful defensive weapons from heavy machine guns. Therefore, to protect the pilot from their fire, later G-4s installed side armor plates 5 mm thick in front of the cockpit.

In the form of a night fighter, the Bf-110 literally "found itself" - since the dimensions, weight and relatively weak maneuverability of the machine were not so important here. Aircraft BF-109H-1 - H-4 were equipped with a DB-605E engine, a reinforced airframe and a retractable tail wheel. By the beginning of 1944, the night units of the Luftwaffe had reached the peak of their effectiveness, at that moment they were armed with approximately 320 Bf-110 radar fighters, which accounted for about 60% of the total number of German night fighters.

With the advent of the He-219 "Uhu", Bf-110 aircraft began to be gradually withdrawn from service.

Bf 110 G4 R3B2M2 9.NJG1 (G9+AT) W.Nr 160616 FuG 220 Fritzlar 1945 01

Bf 110 G4 R3B2M2 9.NJG1 (G9+AT) W.Nr 160616 FuG 220 Fritzlar 1945 01


                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Specification
Crew 2-3
Dimensions
Wing span, m 16.25
Length (with antenna of radar), m 13.05
Height, m 4.18
Powerplant
2 X PE DB-605B, hp 1475
Weight, kg:
Empty weight 5094
Maximum takeoff weight 9900
Performance
Maximum speed, km/h 580
Rate of climb, m/min 661
Service ceiling, m 11000
Service range, km 1300
Armament
2 × 30mm cannon in the nose and 2 × 30-mm cannon under fuselage, 7.62mm machine guns in rear cockpit 4 + 1
Photo Description
Drawing Bf 110G-4c

The Bf 110G-4c with the FuG 220SN-2c radar.

Bf 110G-4/R3/R7/M5 (2N+FM)

Bf 110G-4/R3/R7/M5 (2N+FM) from 4./ZG 76. Winter-Spring 1944

Museum Bf 110G-4 Wer.Na 730301. (England)

Museum Bf 110G-4 Wer.Na 730301. (England).

Bibliography

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