The military Bf 108 had its origins in the commercial two-seat M.34, designed in 1934 by Willy Messerschmitt. This was improved in 1935 with the M.37 (later designated Bf 108A). The plane performed very well, winning several air races, and aroused the interest of the Luftwaffe. A more powerful engine was installed and provision was made for two additional passengers, thus allowing it to perform a useful utility role for the military, primarily in communications and liaison work, but the plane was also used for supply and target towing. Perhaps most importantly, it was a step towards the Bf 109 fighter.
Several countries used the Bf 108. Switzerland and Yugoslavia bought 12 each and Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary each used six. Perhaps the most unusual user was the United States, which bought one for its Military Attache in Germany in spring of 1939, for just over $14,000. When the attache left the country in November of 1940, the Luftwaffe took possession of the plane. Some 885 were built before the war ended.
The Bf 108 burns 8 gallons of fuel per hour at routine usage. Fuel costs $12.
Bf 108B
Subassemblies: Heavy Fighter chassis with Good Streamlining
+3, Light Fighter Wings +2, three retractable wheels +0.
Powertrain: 179-kW aerial gas engine with 179-kW prop
and 58-gallon tanks [Body]
Occupancy: 1 CS, 3 PS Cargo: 3.6
Body, 0.8 Wings
Armor
All: 2/3
Equipment
Body: Medium range radio transmitter and receiver, navigation
instruments, autopilot.
Statistics
| Size: 35'x27'x8' | Payload: 0.59 tons | Lwt: 1.5 tons |
| Volume: 224 | Maint.: 86 hours | Price: $5,400 |
HT: 12.
HPs: 130 Body, 40 each Wing, 12 each Wheel
| aSpeed: 186 | aAccel: 8 | aDecel: 19 | aMR: 4.75 | aSR: 2 | Stall: 49 |
| gSpeed: 192 | gAccel: 9 | gDecel: 10 | gMR: 0.5 | gSR: 2 | GP: Ext. High (0) |
Design Notes
Design aSpeed is 185 mph; the historical speed, as well as actual wing
area (176 sf), has been used. Wing and chassis cost, weight and HPs were
divided by two to lower overall weight. In the end, loaded weight had to
be reduced by 9%.