Messerschmitt Bf 161

Bf 161
Role	Reconnaissance monoplane
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Messerschmitt
First flight	1938
Primary user	Luftwaffe
Number built	2
Developed from	Messerschmitt Bf 110

The Messerschmitt Bf 161 was a 1930s prototype German reconnaissance aircraft.

Development

The Bf 161 was a specialised reconnaissance aircraft, based on the Bf 110, and similar to the Bf 162, designed as a light bomber. The prototype V1 was powered by two Junkers Jumo 210 inline engines and first flew on 9 March 1938. It was followed by a second prototype, V2, powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 600a engines which first flew on 30 August 1938.

The aircraft did not enter production, as it was soon decided that a new aircraft type was not needed, and variants of the Bf 110 could perform the reconnaissance role.

Operational history

The two prototypes were used for research and development, and V2 was used in Augsburg for towing the Me 163A Komet, later moving to Peenemünde to continue towing.

Specifications (Bf 161 V1)

General characteristics

Crew: three
Length: 12.85 m (42 ft 2 in)
Wingspan: 16.69 m (54 ft 9 in)
Height: 3.64 m (11 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 38.5 m² (414 sq ft)
Empty weight: 4,890 kg (10,781 lb)
Powerplant: 2 × Junkers Jumo 210G , 730 kW (979 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 440 km/h (274 mph, 238 kn)
Service ceiling: 8,100 m (26,568 ft)

References

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft (Part Work 1982-1985). Orbis Publishing.

External links

German Aviation 1919 - 1945 Archived 2012-02-19 at the Wayback Machine