View source for Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun

{{short description|German sport and touring aircraftdeveloped in Germany in the 1930s}}
{{Infobox aircraft
 |name= Bf 108 ''Taifun''
 |image= File:Bf108-Rimensberger.JPG
 |caption= D-EBFW, a 1937-built Bf 108B-1 painted to represent a pre-war company demonstrator D-IBFW
 |type= Sport and touring aircraft
 |manufacturer= [[Messerschmitt|Bayerische Flugzeugwerke]]
 |designer= [[Willy Messerschmitt]]
 |first_flight= Spring 1934
 |introduction= 1935
 |retired= 1945
 |number_built= 885<ref>Smith 1971, p. 142.</ref>
 |status=
 |unit cost=
 |primary_user= ''[[Luftwaffe]]''
 |more_users= ''[[History of the Armée de l'Air (1939–1962)|Armée de l'Air]]''<br />[[Manchukuo National Airways]]
 |developed_from=
 |variants= [[Nord 1000 Pingouin]]<br />[[Nord Noralpha]]
}}

The '''Messerschmitt Bf 108 ''Taifun''''' (English: [[Typhoon]]) is a single-engine sport and touring aircraft designed and produced by the [[Germany|German]] aircraft manufacturer [[Messerschmitt|Bayerische Flugzeugwerke]] (BFW). It was the first aircraft of its size to feature all-metal stressed skin construction.<ref name = "smithkay 464"/>

==Design and development==
During 1933, the [[Germany|German]] aircraft manufacturer [[Messerschmitt|Bayerische Flugzeugwerke]] (BFW) received a contract from the [[Reichsluftfahrtministerium]] (RLM/German Aviation Ministry) to produce an aircraft to compete in the [[Challenge 1934|4th ''Challenge International de Tourisme'' (1934)]].<ref name = "smithkay 464">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 464.</ref> 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]].<ref name="naca760">{{cite web |last1 = Schulz |first1 = R. |first2 = W. |last2 = Pleines |url = https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19930094657 |title = Technical Memorandums No. 760 - Technical Aspects of the 1934 International Touring Competition (Rundflug) |publisher = National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics |date = December 1934 |access-date = 13 March 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.warbirdalley.com/bf108.htm Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun]</ref>

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.<ref name = "smithkay 464"/> The wing featured a [[patent]]ed single-[[Spar (aeronautics)|spar]] design and was equipped with both [[trailing edge]] [[Flap (aeronautics)|flaps]] and [[leading-edge slot]]s, the latter of which deployed automatically when the aircraft neared [[Stall (fluid dynamics)#Fixed-wing aircraft|stall]] conditions. Initially, all of the flight control surfaces were hinged at their leading edges without any application of dynamical balancing.<ref name = "smithkay 464"/> The legs of the main [[landing gear|undercarriage]] pivoted near the [[wingroot]] to retract outwards into wells that almost entirely enclosed them.<ref name = "smithkay 464"/> The aircraft was initially powered by a 250&nbsp;PS (247&nbsp;hp, 184&nbsp;kW) [[Hirth HM 508|Hirth HM 8U]] 8.0 litre displacement, air-cooled inverted-[[V8 engine]], which drove a three-blade propeller.

By 1934, six aircraft had been produced. During spring 1934, the [[prototype]] Bf 108 conducted its [[maiden flight]]; the ensuring flight test programme was relatively smooth.<ref name = "smithkay 4645">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 464-465.</ref> 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.<ref name = "smithkay 465">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 465.</ref>

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.<ref name = "smithkay 465"/> Various other design changes on this model include a revised [[fin]] shape, elimination of the upper [[Bracing (aeronautics)|bracings]] of the tailplane, the adoption of a tailwheel in place of a skid, and the dynamic balancing of both the [[Elevator (aeronautics)|elevator]] and [[rudder]]. Only a few Bf 108Bs were completed prior to production of the type being transferred to a new plant in [[Regensburg]]. Serial production proceeded at a pace; by 1942, in excess of 500 aircraft had been completed.<ref name = "smithkay 465"/>

The nickname ''Taifun'' (German for "typhoon") came from the German pilot [[Elly Beinhorn]], who had given it to her personal aircraft; it was generally adopted thereafter.<ref name="Smith">Smith 1971, pp. 36–37.</ref><ref name = "smithkay 465"/>

During 1941, the ''Bf 108C'' was proposed as a specialised aircraft, to be equipped with the powerful [[Hirth HM 512]] inverted-V [[supercharged]] air-cooled engine, that was intended to achieve record-breaking performance.<ref name = "smithkay 466"/> However, it was passed over for the ''Me 208'', an enlarged version that featured numerous alterations and improvements, including a retractable [[tricycle landing gear]]. Only a pair of prototypes were completed before the end of the [[Second World War]].<ref name = "smithkay 466">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 466.</ref>

==Operational history==
As planned, the BF 108 participated in the 4th ''Challenge International de Tourisme''.<ref name = "smithkay 465"/> It was outperformed by several other aircraft in the competition, the performance of the type marked it as a popular choice for record flights. Particular among these traits was its low fuel consumption, good handling and superb takeoff and landing characteristics. During the pre-war years, the type was widely flown by private pilots, several of whom were flying officers in ''[[Luftwaffe]]''.<ref name = "smithkay 465"/> The majority of aircraft produced went into German ownership, in excess of 50 Bf 108Bs were exported to countries such as [[Bulgaria]], [[Hungary]], [[Japan]], [[Romania]], [[Switzerland]], [[Yugoslavia]], and the [[Soviet Union]].<ref name = "smithkay 4656"/>

The type's appearances at various parts of the world helped to bolster the reputation of Messerschmitt and the German aeronautical sector in general.<ref name = "smithkay 465"/> In the mid-to-late 1930s, the Bf 108 was a common sight at aerial competitions, commonly in either first or second place in events such as the 1937 Oases rally in Egypt and the 1938 Belgian international Queen Astrid Race. During July 1939, one aircraft established a new altitude class record of {{cvt|9075|m}}.<ref name = "smithkay 465"/>

Early on in the Second World War, the Bf 108 was formally introduced to service with the ''Luftwaffe''. As a military aircraft, the type was primarily used as a [[Military transport aircraft|personnel transport]] and [[liaison aircraft]], ferrying pilots and personnel between air bases. It was also operated by the ''[[Luftdienst]]'', where it was typically used to perform [[Target tug|target tow]]ing and supply operations.<ref name = "smithkay 4656">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 465-466.</ref> The aircraft involved in the [[Mechelen Incident]] was a Bf 108 and one served with the small long-range bombing group {{lang|de|[[Sonderkommando Blaich]]}} based in Africa.{{fact|date=April 2023}}

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 Pingouin|Nord 1000 ''Pingouin'']].<ref name = "smithkay 4657">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 465-467.</ref> 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'' ans the further-improved [[Nord Noralpha]].<ref name = "smithkay 467"/>

==Variants==

;Bf 108A
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-H16409, Theo Osterkamp mit Gattin, Me 108 Taifun.jpg|thumb|right|[[Theo Osterkamp]] and his wife, Fel Gudrun, with a Messerschmitt Bf 108 (1938)]]
:Initial version designed in 1934 for use in [[Challenge 1934]]. Six were built with the Hirth HM 8U, one other initially had a 220&nbsp;PS (217&nbsp;hp, 162&nbsp;kW) [[Argus As 17]]B inline engine and later a 160&nbsp;PS (158&nbsp;hp, 118&nbsp;kW) [[Siemens-Halske Sh 14]] radial.<ref name="Smith"/>
;Bf 108B
:Revised version, built from late 1935. The prototype had a Siemens-Halske Sh 14A radial, but production machines used the 240&nbsp;PS (237&nbsp;hp, 177&nbsp;kW) [[Argus As 10]]C or the 270&nbsp;PS (266&nbsp;hp, 199&nbsp;kW) [[Argus As 10]]E. A quadrant-shaped rather than rectangular rear window, tailwheel replacing skid, revision of shape of empennage and removal of tailplane upper bracing.<ref name="Smith"/>
;Bf 108C:Proposed high-speed version, powered by a 400&nbsp;PS (395&nbsp;hp, 294&nbsp;kW) [[Hirth HM 512]] engine. Probably not built.<ref name="Smith"/>
;Me 208
:Improved and enlarged version with a retractable [[tricycle landing gear]]. Two prototypes were built by [[Nord Aviation|SNCAN (Nord)]] in France during the war. After 1945 Nord continued its production as the [[Nord Noralpha]].
;[[Nord Pingouin|Nord 1000 ''Pingouin'']]
:Bf 108 built during and after the war by SNCAN in France; followed by the Nord 1001, that had only minor variations and the Nord 1002, which used a Renault engine.<ref name = "smithkay 4667">Smith and Kay 1972, pp. 466-467.</ref>
;[[Nord Noralpha|Nord 1100 ''Noralpha'']]
:Bf 108 derivative built after the war by SNCAN in France with tricycle landing gear and a Renault engine.<ref name = "smithkay 467">Smith and Kay 1972, p. 467.</ref>

==Operators==
[[File:Bf 108 Taifun.JPG|thumb|right|Bf 108 B-1, Lufthansa's D-EBEI at Duxford 2009]]
[[File:Me108 Start.jpg|thumb|right|Bf 108B Taifun, Messerschmitt-Stiftung]]
[[File:Swiss Air Force Messerschmitt Bf 108.jpg|thumb|right|The Bf 108 as used by the Swiss Air Force during World War II. Aviation Museum / [[Flieger-Flab-Museum]] in Dübendorf, Switzerland.]]

;{{flag|Brazil}}
* [[Varig]]
;{{flag|Kingdom of Bulgaria|name=Bulgaria}}
* [[Bulgarian Air Force]] Six aircraft purchased, used mainly for training.
;{{CHN-ROC}}
* [[Chinese Nationalist Air Force]]
;{{flag|Independent State of Croatia}}
* [[Air Force of the Independent State of Croatia]]
;{{CZS}}
* [[Czechoslovak Air Force]] operated this type postwar under designation K-70.
;{{flag|French Third Republic|name=France}}
* ''[[History of the Armée de l'Air (1939–1962)|Armée de l'Air]]'' operated captured Bf 108s and postwar-built Nord 1000 aircraft.
;{{flag|Nazi Germany|Nazi}}
* ''[[Luftwaffe]]''
;{{flag|Kingdom of Hungary|name=Hungary}}
* [[Royal Hungarian Air Force]] operated seven Bf 108s from 1937 to 1945
;{{flag|Kingdom of Italy|name=Italy}}
* [[Regia Aeronautica]]
;{{flag|Empire of Japan|name=Japan}}
* [[Imperial Japanese Army Air Service]]
;{{flag|Manchukuo}}
* [[Manchukuo National Airways]]
;{{NOR}}
* [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] (Postwar)
;{{flag|Second Polish Republic|name=Poland}}
* [[Polish Air Force]] operated a few captured Bf 108s postwar.
;{{flag|Kingdom of Romania|name=Romania}}
* [[Royal Romanian Air Force]]
;{{ESP}}
* [[Spanish Air Force]]
;{{CHE}}
* [[Swiss Air Force]]
;{{flag|Soviet Union|1936}}
* [[Soviet Air Force]] operated several captured Bf 108s.
;{{UK}}
* [[Royal Air Force]] [[File:Messerschmitt Bf108.jpg|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 [[Messerschmitt Bf 109|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.<ref name="Smith"/>
;{{flag|United States|1912}}
* [[United States Army Air Corps]] - in early 1939, a single Bf 108B was purchased for $14,378 and designated '''XC-44'''. It was used only by the US [[air attaché]] in Berlin. In November 1941, the aircraft was assessed as unserviceable. The airframe was seized by the [[Nazi]] government, following the commencement of hostilities, in December.
;{{flag|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}}
* [[Yugoslav Royal Air Force]]

==Specifications (Bf 108B)==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= ''Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1938'',<ref name=JAWA1938>{{cite book |title=Jane's all the World's Aircraft 1938 |editor1-last=Grey |editor1-first=C.G. |year=1938 |publisher=Sampson Low, Marston & company, ltd |location=London |editor2-last=Bridgman|editor2-first=Leonard |page=136c}}</ref> ''Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 Vol.3 – Flugzeugtypen Henschel-Messerschmitt''<ref name=Nowarra>Nowarra 1993, pp. 187–189, 266–267.</ref>
|prime units?= met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|crew= one or two
|capacity= two or three passengers
|length m= 8.29
|length note=
|span m= 10.5
|span note=
|height m= 2.3
|height note=
|wing area sqm= 16.4
|wing area note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil='''root:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 2416]]; '''tip:''' [[NACA airfoil|NACA 2413]]<ref name="Selig">{{cite web |last1=Lednicer |first1=David |title=The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage |url=https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/aircraft.html |website=m-selig.ae.illinois.edu |access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref>
|empty weight kg= 806
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg= 1,350
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg=
|max takeoff weight note=
|fuel capacity=
|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 1
|eng1 name= [[Argus As 10C]]
|eng1 type= [[V8|V-8]] inverted air-cooled piston engine
|eng1 kw= 174

|prop blade number= 2
|prop name= variable-pitch propeller
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|max speed kmh= 305
|max speed note=
|cruise speed kmh= 260
|cruise speed note=
* '''Landing speed:''' {{cvt|85|km/h|mph kn}}
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed note=
|range km= 1,000
|range note= at {{cvt|250|km/h|mph kn}}
|combat range km=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m= 6,200
|ceiling note= (with three passengers and {{cvt|50|kg}} baggage)
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude={{cvt|1000|m}} in three minutes and 12 seconds
::::{{cvt|2000|m}} in seven minutes and 30 seconds
::::{{cvt|3000|m}} in 14 minutes
::::{{cvt|4000|m}} in 22 minutes
::::{{cvt|5000|m}} in 39 minutes
|wing loading kg/m2= 82.3
|wing loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|power/mass={{cvt|0.133|kW/kg}}
|more performance=
|avionics=
}}

==See also==
{{aircontent
|related=
* [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]
* [[Nord Pingouin]]
* [[Nord Noralpha]]
|similar aircraft=
* [[Arado Ar 96]]
* [[Fieseler Fi 97]]
* [[Klemm Kl 36]]
* [[SIPA S.11]]
|lists=
* [[List of military aircraft of Germany]]
* [[List of aircraft of the RAF]]
* [[List of military aircraft of the United States]]
|see also=
}}

==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Grey |first=C.G. |title=Messerschmitt Bf 108 |series=Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1938 |publisher=David & Charles |location=London, UK |year=1972 |language=en |isbn=0-7153-5734-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Nowarra |first=Heinz J. |title=Die Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945 Vol.3 – Flugzeugtypen Henschel-Messerschmitt |publisher=Bernard & Graefe Verlag |location=Koblenz, Germany |year=1993 |language=de |isbn=978-3-7637-5467-0}}
* {{cite book |last=Smith |first=J. Richard |title=Messerschmitt: An Aircraft Album |publisher=Ian Allan |location=London, UK |year=1971 |language=en |isbn=978-0-7110-0224-1}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Smith |first1 = J. Richard |first2 = Anthony |last2 = Kay |title = German Aircraft of the Second World War |location = London, UK |publisher = Putnam & Company Ltd. |date = 1972 |edition = First |isbn = 0-370-00024-2}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Craig |first=James F. |title=The Messerschmitt Bf. 109 |location=New York, US |publisher=Arco Publishing Company |year=1968 |language=en}}
* {{cite book |last=Cross |first=Roy |last2=Scarborough |first2=Gerald |title=Messerschmitt Bf 109 Versions B-E (Classic Aircraft No. 2, Their History and How to Model Them) |location=London, UK |publisher=Patrick Stevens |year=1972 |language=en |isbn=0-85059-106-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Feist |first=Uwe |title=The Fighting Me 109 |location=London |publisher=Arms and Armour Press |year=1993 |language=en |isbn=1-85409-209-X}}
* {{cite book |last=Hitchcock |first=Thomas H. |title=Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (Monogram Close-Up 5) |location=Acton, Massachusetts |publisher=Monogram Aviation Publications |year=1979 |language=en |isbn=0-914144-05-7}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Kulikov |first1=Victor |title=Des occasions en or pour Staline, ou les avions allemands en URSS |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=March 2000 |issue=84 |pages=16–23 |trans-title= Golden Opportunities for Stalin, or German Aircraft in the USSR |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Kulikov |first1=Victor |title=Des occasions en or pour Staline, ou les avions allemands en URSS |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 2000 |issue=85 |pages=44–49 |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Lucchini |first1=Carlo |title=Le meeting saharien de 1938 |journal=Avions: Toute l'Aéronautique et son histoire |date=April 1999 |issue=73 |pages=53–57 |trans-title=The 1938 Sahara Air Meeting |language=fr |issn=1243-8650}}
* {{cite book |last = Sinnhuber |first = Karl |title = Salzburg To Stalingrad |location = Milton Keynes, UK |publisher = lulu.com |year = 2012 |language=en |isbn = 9781471702228}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090207132724/http://www.nzwarbirds.org.nz/108a.html N.Z. Warbirds Association]
* [http://sites.google.com/site/messerschmittbf108nord1002/ Messerschmitt 108 to Nord 1002]
* [https://achtungskyhawk.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/rare-aircraft-messerschmitt-bf-108/ Rare Aircraft – Messerschmitt Bf.108]

{{Bf 109 family}}
{{Messerschmitt aircraft}}
{{AircraftDesignationNavboxShell
  |1={{RLM aircraft designations}}
  |2={{USAF transports}}
  |3={{Czech liaison aircraft}}
  |4={{Spanish liaison aircraft}} 
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Subject bar
| portal1=Aviation
}}

[[Category:Messerschmitt aircraft|Bf 108]]
[[Category:1930s German civil utility aircraft]]
[[Category:1930s German military utility aircraft]]
[[Category:Single-engined tractor aircraft]]
[[Category:Low-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:Aircraft first flown in 1934]]
[[Category:Aircraft with retractable conventional landing gear]]
[[Category:Single-engined piston aircraft]]