Difference between revisions of "Bf 109 Z-1"

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(Bf 109 Z shooting down an enemy P-51H-5-NA)
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[[File:Bf 109 Z shooting down an enemy P-51H-5-NA.png|thumb|Bf 109 Z shooting down an enemy P-51H-5-NA]]
+
{{Specs-Card|code=bf-109z}}
−
{{Specs-Card
 
−
|code = bf-109z
 
−
}}
 
 
{{About
 
{{About
−
|about=aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
+
| about = German twin-engined fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
−
|usage=other uses
+
| usage = other versions
−
|link=Bf 109 (Family)
+
| link = Bf 109 (Family)
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.''-->
+
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
 
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
−
{{break}}
+
{{Break}}
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a Rank {{Specs|rank}} gift German twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]]. The Bf 109 "Zwilling" is, quite literally, two BF 109 F's stuck together. Featuring a quartet of the Mk 108 ''Maschinenkanone's,'' also nicknamed "Sledgehammer" due to the firing sound, mounted in the middle of the plane, it is capable of shredding anything in its sights.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a gift rank {{Specs|rank}} German twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update 1.79 "Project X"]]. The Bf 109 "Zwilling" is, quite literally, two BF 109 F's stuck together. Featuring a quartet of the Mk 108 ''Maschinenkanone's,'' also nicknamed "Sledgehammer" due to the firing sound, mounted in the middle of the plane, it is capable of shredding anything in its sights.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
−
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
−
The Zwilling shares similar characteristics to the American [[F-82E|F-82 ''Twin Mustang'']], which also so happens to be two of the same plane super-sized and put together. However, two of the main differences is the lack of two cockpits and two pilots and a significantly more powerful armament.  
+
The Zwilling shares similar characteristics to the American [[F-82E|F-82 ''Twin Mustang'']], which also so happens to be two of the same plane super-sized and put together. However, two of the main differences is the lack of two cockpits and two pilots and a significantly more powerful armament.
 +
 
 +
While being significantly heavier, it is still a Messerschmitt and boasts an above-average manoeuvrability for a heavy fighter and high speed due to its twin DB 605's. However, it is significantly less manoeuvrable against single-engined props that it will face, so it is not recommended to turn fight unless they are considerably less manoeuvrable than you.
  
−
While being significantly heavier, it is still a Messerschmitt and boasts an above-average maneuverability for a heavy fighter and high speed due to its twin DB 605's. However, it is significantly less maneuverable against single-engined props that it will face, so it is not recommended to turn fight unless they are considerably less maneuverable than you.
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
 +
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at _,___ m)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 +
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 +
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
 +
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 +
|-
 +
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
 +
|-
 +
! Stock
 +
| ___ || ___ || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._ || rowspan="2" | ___
 +
|-
 +
! Upgraded
 +
| ___ || ___ || __._ || __._ || __._ || __._
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
==== Details ====
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="5" | Features !! colspan="2" width="25%" | Limits (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear !! Wings !! Gear
 +
|-
 +
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X || {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}}    <!-- ✓ -->
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
Line 27: Line 53:
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
−
<!--''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 +
[[File:Bf 109 Z shooting down an enemy P-51H-5-NA.png|thumb|Bf 109 Z shooting down an enemy P-51H-5-NA]]
 
{{main|MK 108 (30 mm)}}
 
{{main|MK 108 (30 mm)}}
  
−
The '''''Bf 109 Z''''' is armed with:
+
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
−
 
+
* 4 x 30 mm MK 108 cannons, centre-mounted (65 rpg = 260 total)
−
* 4 x 30 mm MK 108 cannons, centre mounted
 
  
 
The MK 108 is a very bad anti-fighter weapon particularly in fighter to fighter combat. Bullet drop and slow velocity result in a severe difficulty leading shots at ranges above 300 meters (350 yds). In dogfights where both aircraft are constantly turning and changing direction, this trait gets even worse. The high speeds of the late props push the necessary lead for hitting the target high and very far in front of the enemy. Training with this weapon system in a custom battle against random enemies is heavily advised.
 
The MK 108 is a very bad anti-fighter weapon particularly in fighter to fighter combat. Bullet drop and slow velocity result in a severe difficulty leading shots at ranges above 300 meters (350 yds). In dogfights where both aircraft are constantly turning and changing direction, this trait gets even worse. The high speeds of the late props push the necessary lead for hitting the target high and very far in front of the enemy. Training with this weapon system in a custom battle against random enemies is heavily advised.
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
−
''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 +
{{main|SC250JA (250 kg)}}
 +
 
 +
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
 +
* Without load
 +
* 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
−
 
 
 
With its decent armour, centre mounted cannons, and a pilot that is away from the middle of the craft, the 109 Z is geared towards head-on combat. When employing the tactic, be weary that the Mk 108 30 mm's have a significant amount of drop and slow travel speed, so significant leading is necessary in order to land the shots. Also note that due to the heavier nature of the plane, you will need to dodge the wreckage of downed enemies.
 
With its decent armour, centre mounted cannons, and a pilot that is away from the middle of the craft, the 109 Z is geared towards head-on combat. When employing the tactic, be weary that the Mk 108 30 mm's have a significant amount of drop and slow travel speed, so significant leading is necessary in order to land the shots. Also note that due to the heavier nature of the plane, you will need to dodge the wreckage of downed enemies.
  
 
However, where the Zwilling really shines is as a bomber interceptor. The large bodies of bombers make it so that the Mk 108's drop isn't as problematic, and the off-centre pilot makes it harder for their gunners to land a shot on your pilot. At the start of a match, climb to bomber altitude (4k-6k metres) and start hunting for prey. If all of the bombers have been destroyed, or there weren't any to begin with, you are safe to use it as a Boom-&-Zoomer or an air superiority fighter.
 
However, where the Zwilling really shines is as a bomber interceptor. The large bodies of bombers make it so that the Mk 108's drop isn't as problematic, and the off-centre pilot makes it harder for their gunners to land a shot on your pilot. At the start of a match, climb to bomber altitude (4k-6k metres) and start hunting for prey. If all of the bombers have been destroyed, or there weren't any to begin with, you are safe to use it as a Boom-&-Zoomer or an air superiority fighter.
 +
 +
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
 +
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
 +
! colspan="3" | Radiator
 +
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
 +
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 +
|-
 +
! Oil !! Water !! Type
 +
|-
 +
| Not controllable || Controllable<br>Not auto controlled || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".''-->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
 
 
* Extremely destructive armament mounting the dreaded ''Minengeschoss''
 
* Extremely destructive armament mounting the dreaded ''Minengeschoss''
 
* Quite speedy
 
* Quite speedy
Line 58: Line 104:
 
* Decent high altitude performance
 
* Decent high altitude performance
 
* Premium awards
 
* Premium awards
−
* Quite maneuverable for a twin-engined fighter
+
* Quite manoeuvrable for a twin-engined fighter
 
* Exceptional interceptor
 
* Exceptional interceptor
 
* Solid dive speed
 
* Solid dive speed
Line 64: Line 110:
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
 
 
* Mk 108's have an extremely slow travel time and drastic bullet drop
 
* Mk 108's have an extremely slow travel time and drastic bullet drop
 
* Twice the planes, twice the weight
 
* Twice the planes, twice the weight
−
* Increased weight make it harder to maneuver with
+
* Increased weight make it harder to manoeuvre with
 
* Easy prey for more nimble and heavily armed single-engined fighters (Yak-9P, Tempest's, Spitfires and most American fighters it will encounter)
 
* Easy prey for more nimble and heavily armed single-engined fighters (Yak-9P, Tempest's, Spitfires and most American fighters it will encounter)
 
* Sluggish handling at lower speeds and altitudes
 
* Sluggish handling at lower speeds and altitudes
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
With the start of allied bombing campaigns against German strategic targets in 1942, the Luftwaffe was forced to go onto the defensive for the first time in the war. This sudden turn of events sparked an urgent demand for new heavy fighter and interceptor designs that would counter the ever increasing onslaught of allied bombers and their respective escorts. Although the Messerschmitt company was already working on such a new aircraft that would replace the dated Bf 110 - the Me 210 - several problems during development delayed the project’s completion. As a result, new versions of the Bf 110 had to be developed to counter the new threat. However, the RLM (German Air Ministry) wasn’t content with the creation of even more modifications of the aircraft as they planned to decrease the amount of different variants for all aircraft in service at the time in hopes of addressing logistical problems that strained production. Inspired by the previous He-111 “Zwilling” project, Messerschmitt engineers began work on a similar alternative heavy fighter based on the Bf 109, that could easily be mass produced and offer better performance (in reference speed) than the Bf 110 already in service, whilst at the same time being cheaper to manufacture than newly designed machines.
+
With the start of allied bombing campaigns against German strategic targets in 1942, the Luftwaffe was forced to go onto the defensive for the first time in the war. This sudden turn of events sparked an urgent demand for new heavy fighter and interceptor designs that would counter the ever increasing onslaught of allied bombers and their respective escorts. Although the Messerschmitt company was already working on such a new aircraft that would replace the dated Bf 110 - the Me 210 - several problems during development delayed the project’s completion. As a result, new versions of the Bf 110 had to be developed to counter the new threat. However, the RLM (German Air Ministry) wasn’t content with the creation of even more modifications of the aircraft as they planned to decrease the amount of different variants for all aircraft in service at the time in hopes of addressing logistical problems that strained production. Inspired by the previous He-111 "Zwilling" project, Messerschmitt engineers began work on a similar alternative heavy fighter based on the Bf 109, that could easily be mass produced and offer better performance (in reference speed) than the Bf 110 already in service, whilst at the same time being cheaper to manufacture than newly designed machines.
  
−
By taking two standard Bf 109Fs from the assembly line and “welding” them together, Messerschmitt engineers created what would become known as the Bf 109Z-0 - the first prototype of the “zwilling” Bf 109. In 1943 however, a bombing raid of one of the Messerschmitt plants near Augsburg led to the destruction of the prototype, cancelling the planned tests. Despite this setback, the engineers kept working on the concept and less than a year later, in spring 1944, a new Z-1 prototype, based off the Bf 109G-6, was created. The second prototype differed from the first one, apart from being based on a later variant of the 109, in the abandoning of rifle-caliber guns in favor of interchangeable large caliber autocannons, a common trend for late-war German machines. In the end, the project was ultimately cancelled as resource shortages began afflicting the German industry in the final stages of the war and the concept of a twin Bf 109 fighter was abandoned for good.
+
By taking two standard Bf 109Fs from the assembly line and "welding" them together, Messerschmitt engineers created what would become known as the Bf 109Z-0 - the first prototype of the "zwilling" Bf 109. In 1943 however, a bombing raid of one of the Messerschmitt plants near Augsburg led to the destruction of the prototype, cancelling the planned tests. Despite this setback, the engineers kept working on the concept and less than a year later, in spring 1944, a new Z-1 prototype, based off the Bf 109G-6, was created. The second prototype differed from the first one, apart from being based on a later variant of the 109, in the abandoning of rifle-caliber guns in favor of interchangeable large caliber autocannons, a common trend for late-war German machines. In the end, the project was ultimately cancelled as resource shortages began afflicting the German industry in the final stages of the war and the concept of a twin Bf 109 fighter was abandoned for good.
  
−
''- From [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5534-development-messerschmitt-bf-109z-the-teutonic-twin-boom-terror-en Devblog]''
+
''- From [[wt:en/news/5534-development-messerschmitt-bf-109z-the-teutonic-twin-boom-terror-en|Devblog]]''
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
−
 
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
<!--''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''encyclopedia page on aircraft;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
−
* ''other literature.''-->
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
 
+
* [[wt:en/news/5534-development-messerschmitt-bf-109z-the-teutonic-twin-boom-terror-en|[Devblog] Messerschmitt Bf 109Z: The Teutonic Twin-Boom Terror]]
−
* [https://warthunder.com/en/news/5534-development-messerschmitt-bf-109z-the-teutonic-twin-boom-terror-en [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> Messerschmitt Bf 109Z: The Teutonic Twin-Boom Terror]
 
  
 
{{AirManufacturer BFW}}
 
{{AirManufacturer BFW}}
 
{{Germany twin-engine fighters}}
 
{{Germany twin-engine fighters}}
 +
{{Germany premium aircraft}}

Revision as of 15:21, 8 March 2020

Introducing Wiki 3.0
Bf 109 Z-1
bf-109z.png
Bf 109 Z-1
Germany flag.png Germany
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.7 4.7 4.7
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
This page is about the German twin-engined fighter Bf 109 Z-1. For other versions, see Bf 109 (Family).

Description

GarageImage Bf 109 Z-1.jpg


The Bf 109 Z-1 is a gift rank IV German twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.79 "Project X". The Bf 109 "Zwilling" is, quite literally, two BF 109 F's stuck together. Featuring a quartet of the Mk 108 Maschinenkanone's, also nicknamed "Sledgehammer" due to the firing sound, mounted in the middle of the plane, it is capable of shredding anything in its sights.

General info

Flight performance

The Zwilling shares similar characteristics to the American F-82 Twin Mustang, which also so happens to be two of the same plane super-sized and put together. However, two of the main differences is the lack of two cockpits and two pilots and a significantly more powerful armament.

While being significantly heavier, it is still a Messerschmitt and boasts an above-average manoeuvrability for a heavy fighter and high speed due to its twin DB 605's. However, it is significantly less manoeuvrable against single-engined props that it will face, so it is not recommended to turn fight unless they are considerably less manoeuvrable than you.

Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at _,___ m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock ___ ___ 12600 __._ __._ __._ __._ ___
Upgraded ___ ___ __._ __._ __._ __._

Details

Features Limits (km/h)
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear Wings Gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X 790 360

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

Offensive armament

Bf 109 Z shooting down an enemy P-51H-5-NA
Main article: MK 108 (30 mm)

The Bf 109 Z-1 is armed with:

  • 4 x 30 mm MK 108 cannons, centre-mounted (65 rpg = 260 total)

The MK 108 is a very bad anti-fighter weapon particularly in fighter to fighter combat. Bullet drop and slow velocity result in a severe difficulty leading shots at ranges above 300 meters (350 yds). In dogfights where both aircraft are constantly turning and changing direction, this trait gets even worse. The high speeds of the late props push the necessary lead for hitting the target high and very far in front of the enemy. Training with this weapon system in a custom battle against random enemies is heavily advised.

Suspended armament

Main article: SC250JA (250 kg)

The Bf 109 Z-1 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

  • Without load
  • 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)

Usage in battles

With its decent armour, centre mounted cannons, and a pilot that is away from the middle of the craft, the 109 Z is geared towards head-on combat. When employing the tactic, be weary that the Mk 108 30 mm's have a significant amount of drop and slow travel speed, so significant leading is necessary in order to land the shots. Also note that due to the heavier nature of the plane, you will need to dodge the wreckage of downed enemies.

However, where the Zwilling really shines is as a bomber interceptor. The large bodies of bombers make it so that the Mk 108's drop isn't as problematic, and the off-centre pilot makes it harder for their gunners to land a shot on your pilot. At the start of a match, climb to bomber altitude (4k-6k metres) and start hunting for prey. If all of the bombers have been destroyed, or there weren't any to begin with, you are safe to use it as a Boom-&-Zoomer or an air superiority fighter.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Not controllable Controllable
Not auto controlled 		Controllable
Auto control available 		Controllable
Auto control available 		Separate Not controllable
1 gear 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Extremely destructive armament mounting the dreaded Minengeschoss
  • Quite speedy
  • Durable airframe that can take a few hits
  • Off-centre pilot
  • Powerful DB 605's allow it to reach high speeds
  • Decent high altitude performance
  • Premium awards
  • Quite manoeuvrable for a twin-engined fighter
  • Exceptional interceptor
  • Solid dive speed
  • Amazing at head-on engagements

Cons:

  • Mk 108's have an extremely slow travel time and drastic bullet drop
  • Twice the planes, twice the weight
  • Increased weight make it harder to manoeuvre with
  • Easy prey for more nimble and heavily armed single-engined fighters (Yak-9P, Tempest's, Spitfires and most American fighters it will encounter)
  • Sluggish handling at lower speeds and altitudes

History

With the start of allied bombing campaigns against German strategic targets in 1942, the Luftwaffe was forced to go onto the defensive for the first time in the war. This sudden turn of events sparked an urgent demand for new heavy fighter and interceptor designs that would counter the ever increasing onslaught of allied bombers and their respective escorts. Although the Messerschmitt company was already working on such a new aircraft that would replace the dated Bf 110 - the Me 210 - several problems during development delayed the project’s completion. As a result, new versions of the Bf 110 had to be developed to counter the new threat. However, the RLM (German Air Ministry) wasn’t content with the creation of even more modifications of the aircraft as they planned to decrease the amount of different variants for all aircraft in service at the time in hopes of addressing logistical problems that strained production. Inspired by the previous He-111 "Zwilling" project, Messerschmitt engineers began work on a similar alternative heavy fighter based on the Bf 109, that could easily be mass produced and offer better performance (in reference speed) than the Bf 110 already in service, whilst at the same time being cheaper to manufacture than newly designed machines.

By taking two standard Bf 109Fs from the assembly line and "welding" them together, Messerschmitt engineers created what would become known as the Bf 109Z-0 - the first prototype of the "zwilling" Bf 109. In 1943 however, a bombing raid of one of the Messerschmitt plants near Augsburg led to the destruction of the prototype, cancelling the planned tests. Despite this setback, the engineers kept working on the concept and less than a year later, in spring 1944, a new Z-1 prototype, based off the Bf 109G-6, was created. The second prototype differed from the first one, apart from being based on a later variant of the 109, in the abandoning of rifle-caliber guns in favor of interchangeable large caliber autocannons, a common trend for late-war German machines. In the end, the project was ultimately cancelled as resource shortages began afflicting the German industry in the final stages of the war and the concept of a twin Bf 109 fighter was abandoned for good.

- From Devblog

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

  • reference to the series of the aircraft;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links


Bavarian Aircraft Corporation (BFW*)
Bf 109  Flegel's Bf 109 A · Bf 109 B-1 · Bf 109 C-1 · Bf 109 C-1 · Bf 109 E-1 · Bf 109 E-3 · Bf 109 E-4 · Bf 109 E-7/U2
  Bf 109 F-1 · Bf 109 F-2 · Bf 109 F-4 · Bf 109 F-4/trop · Bf 109 G-2/trop · Bf 109 G-6 · Bf 109 K-4 · Bf 109 G-10 · Bf 109 G-14 · Bf 109 Z-1
Bf 110  Bf 110 C-6 · Bf 110 C-7 · Bf 110 F-2 · Bf 110 G-2 · Bf 110 G-4
Me 410  Me 410 A-1 · Me 410 A-1/U2 · Me 410 A-1/U4 · Me 410 B-1 · Me 410 B-1/U2 · Me 410 B-2/U4 · Me 410 B-6/R3
Bombers  Me 264
Jet Fighters  Me 163 B · Me 163 B-0 · Me 262 A-1a · Me 262 A-1a/Jabo · Me 262 A-1a/U1 · Me 262 A-1/U4 · Me 262 A-2a · Me 262 C-1a · Me 262 C-2b
Export  ▅Bf 109 E-7 · ▄Bf 109 G-14/AS · ◐Bf 109 F-4 · ◐Bf 109 G-2 · Bf 109 G-2 · ▄Bf 109 G-2 · ▄Bf 109 G-6 · ▄Bf 109 G-6 Erla · ◐Bf 110 G-4
Captured  ▃Bf 109 F-4
  * BFW was later renamed Messerschmitt Aktiengesellschaft (AG) on 11 July 1938. All aircraft currently in production at this time retained the designation Bf while those developed after this date had the designation Me.

Germany twin-engine fighters
Messerschmitt  Bf 109 Z-1
  Me 410 A-1/U2 · Me 410 B-1/U2
Dornier  Do 17 Z-7 · Do 217 J-1 · Do 217 J-2 · Do 217 N-1 · Do 217 N-2
Focke-Wulf  Ta 154 A-1
Junkers  Ju 88 C-6 · Ju 388 J

Germany premium aircraft
Fighters  He 51 B-2/H · BV 155 B-1
He 112  He 112 B-1/U2 · He 112 B-2/U2
Bf 109  Flegel's Bf 109 A · Bf 109 E-7/U2 · Bf 109 G-2
Fw 190  Fw 190 A-5/U14 · Fw 190 C · Fw 190 D-13
Captured  ▀Marcolin's C.R.42 CN · ▀Hawk H-75A-2 · ▀Yak-1B · ▀La-5FN · ▀P-47D-16-RE · ▀P-47D · ▀Tempest Mk V
Twin-engine fighters  Bf 109 Z-1 · Ju 388 J · Ta 154 A-1
Jet fighters  ◄Sea Hawk Mk.100 · ◄G.91 R/4 · FFA P-16 · ◄MiG-21 SPS-K · ◊MiG-21 "Lazur-M"
Strike aircraft  Hs 129 B-2 (Romania) · ▀IL-2 (1942) · Bf 110 C-6 · Do 335 B-2 · He 219 A-7 · ◄Tornado IDS WTD61 · ◄Su-22M4 WTD61
Bombers  Ar 196 A-3 · BV 238 · Fw 189 A-1 · He 177 A-3 · Ju 87 R-2 Libya · Ju 288 C · ▀Wellington Mk Ic

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