[Would you like to see this in-game?]
A BF 109 that would completely change the engine that was used. Going from the Junkers Jumo 210G on the Bf 109 C to the Daimler-Benz (DB) 600Aa. Also regarded as the interim variant. DB would remain the engine for the Bf109 (Me109) for the rest of the war. Hence the title name.
The D-1 first would go into service Spring 1938 with the I Gruppe des Jagdgeschwaders 131 (1/JG 131) at Jesau. Which would go on to be redesignated to 1/JG 130 the same year and finally to I/JG 1 in spring of 1939. D-1 would also be used for night operations with the 10 (Nacht)/JG 26 under the command of Oberleutnant Johannes Steinhoff who would later develop night fighter tactics.
Germany would use the BF 109 D as a testimonial as part of a calculated propaganda program. To which Generalleutnant Ernst Udet’s close friend Major Al Williams pronounced he would prefer a Bf109 D to either a Spitfire or a Hurricane.
The BF 109 D would serve from Spring of 1938 until Fall of 1940 when it was finally phased out for the Established Emil with the DB 601A engine. It served in the Polish campaign and Night fighting over Germany. 200 D-1 were produced. 10 were sold to Switzerland and 3 to Hungary. The D-2 and D-3 would never enter production because introduction of the Established Emil.
BF 109 D-1
General characteristics
- Length: 8.60m (28 ft 2 in)
- Wingspan: 9.89m (32 ft 4.5 in)
- Height: 2.58m (8 ft 4.5 in)
- Wing Area: 16.38 m² (176.53 ft²)
- Empty Weight: 1,798 kg (3,964 lbs)/ Empty Equipped: 1,995 kg (4,398 lbs)/ Loaded: 2,420kg (5,335 lbs)
- Powerplant: Daimler-Benz DB600Aa 12-Cylinder, Inverted-vee, Liquid-cooled engine. Rated 986 h.p. for take-off and 910 h.p. @ 3,999m (13,120 ft)
- Fuel: 88 Imp Gallons
Performance
- Maximum Speed: 479.5 km/h (298 mph) @ Sea level / 574.5 km/h (357 mph) @ 3,499m (11,480 ft)
- Maximum Range: 560 km (348 mi) @ 3,599.7 m (11,810 ft)
- Service Ceiling: 10,000.5 m (32,810 ft)
- Initial Rate of Climb: 909.8 m/min (2,985 ft/min)
- Wing Loading: 207.5 kg/m² (42.5 lb/ft²)
Armament
- BF109 D-1: 2-7.92mm MG 17 1000 Rds (500 rpg) (Wing mounted) & 1-20mm MG-FF/M 60 Rds (Engine mounted) Side note for the D-1: 1-20mm MG-FF/M was removed and 2-7.92mm MG 17 had there rpg increased to 1000 rpg (2000 Rds)
- BF109 D-2: 4-7.92mm MG 17 2000 Rds (500rpg) (Two Wing mounted & Two Fuselage mounted)
- BF109 D-3: 2-7.92mm MG 17 1000 Rds (500rpg) (Two Fuselage mounted) & 2-20mm MG-FF 120 Rds (60rpg) (Two Wing mounted)
- Suspended: None
Sources:
Green, William. Warplanes of the Third Reich
Pritchard, Anthony. Messerschmitt
Shacklady, Edward. Messerschmitt Bf109
Maloney, Edward T. Luftwaffe Aircraft and Aces
Messerschmitt Bf 109D-1 (historynet.com)
Messerschmitt Bf 109 (aviatorsdatabase.com)
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How long did you wait for this to be posted?
The biggest drum for the MG FF/M was 90 rounds?
Straight from Warplanes of the Third Reich and Messerschmitt books
For those wanting to see the cockpit layout Cockpit der Bf 109 D (messerschmitt-bf109.de)
A +1 from me. It would be neat to see the D-model implemented. It’s also interesting to note that a Bf-109D is being restored/rebuilt by Kevin Wheatcroft. When It’s completed, it’ll be the second oldest 109 in existence with the oldest still being the V10 Prototype
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Yeah and my source are the literal German Ammunition load Manuals, and the Mg FF/M only came with 30, 60 and 90 round durms, for Flexible, Small and big applications. Belt fed was also made, but only later on the Do 217s and would be 200 rpg. Not 160 and you cant mid flight reload the Engine gun.
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i wouldn’t mind seeing these in game
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So, he only posts updates on his stuff on social media; I’ll try to find you the post where he talked about it (and his Ju-87 G-1 project). As a note, both projects will be airworthy restorations/rebuilds
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I confirmed author made a mistake. Made correction. Thank you
Just wondered for what you wanna add this aircraft? Model D is predecessor to famous E (emil), then if it will be added in game it would be higher in stack and earlier to research than E-1. Therefore it’s worse it in specifications. But if you’re wanna see this in game how low it’ll be by battle rating? I don’t expect players paid interest of low BR vehicles just because we have even F-1 on 2.7 (ARB) which players abusers would research very fast and they’ll never think of predecessors again. Therefore it could only expand the row and no more.
As i see we could expect pretty heavy weapons which is unusual to Germany on BR lower than 2.0. First German aircraft with guns is He 112 B-0. As I know that gaijin’s thinks of balance and keeps in mind of weapon balance in game. Looks like it won’t be lower than 2.3. And even if add a version with only machine guns It’s just the same as E-1. It makes sense only for arcade battles if you wanna use more 2.3 planes per battle.
The D-2 and D-3 would never enter production because introduction of the Established Emil. I even asked TEC, and he would live to see it in game, and it would complete the production BF 109’s. It was THE BF 109 that got thing going in the right direction
I’ll repeat my question: for what you wanna add this plane? A prototype, I do understand. But why?
Is that the point? Then successors is cursed?
complete the production BF 109’s and I am BF 109 Enthusiast and the enjoyment at low BR BF’s
To complete the model row of 109’s presented in game? It makes sense. And this is the only one to add? I enjoy low BR vehicles too.
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