Bf 109 E-4

Bf 109 E-4

Bf 109 E-3

Bf 109 F-1

Bf 109 E-4

Bf 109 E-3

Bf 109 F-1

Germany

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.0	3.0	3.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:5 600

Purchase:22 000

This page is about the aircraft Bf 109 E-4. For other uses, see Bf 109 (Disambiguation)

Description

The Bf 109 E-4 is a Rank II German fighter with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/SB) and 2.7 (SB). It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm". The differences from its predecessor are little in quantity, though they have a drastic effect ingame. The E-4 is slightly heavier, but thanks to better surface polishing and a +150 hp WEP, it is faster than the E-3. The greatest advantage though, is the installment of Mg FF/M cannons with Minengeschoße.

After having played both the E-1 and E-3, players will rejoice upon unlocking the E-4. While essentially the same plane, the E-4 overcomes the inadequate MgFF with MgFF/M, featuring the fantastic `Minengeschoße´. With two wing-mounted MG FF/Ms with 60 rounds each, the plane has an even more deadly punch, attributed solely to the new thin-walled 20mm HE shells. Fighting in the E-4 is essentially the same as with all E-frame 109s.

Remaining a great energy fighter against its historical opposition, the E-4 is somewhat troubled by the fact that it often faces mid-to-later-war planes such as the P-47D. To engage these, make sure you have a clear energy advantage; if attacked, fly defensively and attempt to bleed the enemy’s speed while pulling them down. The Bf 109 E-4 is often regarded as a poor turner, a reputation coming from the fact that its main rival, the Spitfire, simply did it better. However, with combat flaps, the E-4 is a respectable turner able to out-turn most planes that outperform it in other ways. However, keep in mind that one of the changes from E-3 to E-4 increased the frame's weight. Flat turning should only be reserved for extreme situations.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
554	?543	11,000	23.3	27.7	11.8	14.0	390
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
604	580	11,000	19.7	21.0	26.5	17.8	390

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
789	320	500	~12	~10

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 370	< 370	< 420	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,550 m	1,050 hp	1,172 hp

Survivability and armour

• 10 mm Steel plate behind seat
• 10 mm Steel plate head rest
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Bf 109 E-4 is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannon, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
• 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun, nose-mounted (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

The two canons are mounted with one in each wing where as the two machine guns are mounted in the upper fuselage just in front of the cockpit.

Suspended armament

The Bf 109 E-4 can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

• Without load
• 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
• 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)

Usage in the battles

The main armament is identical to that of the Bf 109 E-3. However, there is one critical difference. The MG FF/M can fire `Minengeschoss´ shells. Minengeschoss have thin shells, allowing more incendiary material to be used; however, these very same characteristics prevent them from being fired from older MG FF versions (like on the predecessor E-3). Thus, the MG FF/Ms are far more powerful than the MG FFs.

The E-4 can load either 4 x 50 kg or 1 x 250 kg bombs. Unless you like to fly at a severe disadvantage, do not use the bombs unless you have to in order to win a match, for example after refueling/restocking at the base. The bomb load is nowhere near large enough to make a fighter bombing trip worth it.

The DB 601N provides its maximum performance around 2000 m to 5000 m (6500 ft to 16500 ft respectively) and comes with WEP, providing +150 hp upon activation. The boost will last about one minute from a cooled engine.

Tactics

Click to enlarge

Just as the with the E-1, new players should adopt a hit and run tactic with the Bf 109s (also known as Boom and Run). While often called a Boom & Zoom aircraft, the 109s are not dedicated Boom'n'Zoomers, and many other aircraft such as the Fw 190 do it much better. While it is true that a pure Boom and Zooming approach can be used for the 109s, limiting oneself to this enormously undermines plane efficiency. That said, the 109s do build up speed quickly in a dive, and they have a respectable zoom climb that ends in a strong sustained climb at ~270 km/h (optimal climbing speed 260, and dash 280 km/h). Doing so will often give the player the maximum speed or altitude advantage they can have over their chosen target. A straight up bounce, with a short extend from the target and a slowly increasing climb leading into an Immelmann, tends to work best for rookie pilots. Remember to check your six and surroundings during the climb and just before diving back on your target.

With mounting experience on the side of the player, the energy fighting abilities of the Bf 109 E-4 come to the forefront. Fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well-timed uses of flaps, throttle and maneuvers, enable the Emil to quickly change an engagement to its favour.

When firing at enemies, be aware that your 20 mm cannons only hold a 60 round drum magazine each. They empty quickly, and many a new pilot has seen themselves on pitifully low ammunition after only one attack run. Once you empty your cannons, the E-4 will be hard-pressed to secure a kill. In your own interest, do not waste your cannons on ground targets and when firing at planes, fire in short, controlled and well-aimed bursts. Luckily, the E-4 holds 1000 rounds in each of its two MG 17s. Use these if you are inclined to spray and pray or are about to engage ground targets.

Counter-tactics

Engaging the Bf 109 E-4 in a group is your best bet. While it can easily pick off one or two planes, it doesn’t have very much cannon ammo and will be easily overwhelmed when engaged by multiple foes. In a one-on-one engagement, try to trick the pilot into bleeding their energy. While the Bf 109 E-4 will outrun most planes at its tier, it can also be outgunned by them. Once it uses all its cannon ammo, it's only left with two machine guns, which most planes take little to no damage from at a glance.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair, Radiator		Offensive 7 mm, ETC 50/VIIId
II	Compressor	Airframe	New 7 mm MGs
III	Wing Repair, Engine		Offensive 20 mm, ETC 500/IXb
IV	Engine Injection	Cover	New 20 mm Cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Good acceleration.
• Good rate of climb.
• Good continuous turn rate.
• Good roll rate.
• Good sustained turn rate.
• Plenty of LMG ammo.
• Fairly good MG FF/M cannons in steady hands, ideal for Boom & Zoom.
• Can perform negative G maneuvres.
• Better cockpit visibility than Bf 109Fs.

Cons:

• Less than average instantaneous turn rate.
• Control stiffening above 400 IAS (kph).
• Low cannon ammo.
• Weak low-velocity cannons compared to Hispano, MG 151/20, etc.
• Relatively poor durability.
• Harsh matchmaking.
• Thicker cockpit framing than the E-3 with armoured glass frame.

History

The E-4 was used extensively in `Operation Barbarossa´ (invasion of the U.S.S.R.), it was eventually replaced by the Friedrich. Old machines remained in use by other Axis nations, such as Romania and Hungary.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.

Read also

• Radinger, Willy & Otto, Wolfgang, Messerschmit Me 109 - Das meistgebaute Jagdflugzeug der Welt - Entwicklung, Erprobung, Technik - Bf 109A bis 109K, Aviatic Verlag, Oberhachingen: 2011
• "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109E subpage
• English Wikipedia: "Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 E"
• "Performance Information Bf 109E"

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• page on aircraft encyclopedia;
• other literature.