Bf109 test data

[*Buzzsaw*]

Salute

Nothing is ever simple, there are no easy ways to arrive at 109 performance figures which are 'exact'.

The German figures are qualified with a note that different engines of the same type, (DB601A, N, etc.) can vary from +2.5/-2.5 percentage difference in engine horsepower output. That can easily add up to 20 kilometers per hour difference between different aircraft when we are talking about top speed at altitude.

The British, American and Swiss figures are done with aircraft which are either captured or export variants, which might or might not perform up to German standards.

In addition, often tests are done at different boost levels, or with radiators either open or shut.

Some of the German documents may or may not have figures which are inflated, as they are intended to provide information for potential foreign buyers, and obviously a higher performance aircraft is more likely to sell.

All of the above means that one has to be VERY careful in the study of the various tests/figures, and not jump to hasty conclusions.

What we do know is that the 109E was a very competitive and dangerous aircraft, capable of taking on the Hurricane and Spitfire in the aerial combat arena. And vice versa.