Messerschmitt Me 410

Heavy fighter and fighter-bomber introduced in 1943

Overview

Messerschmitt Germany ICAO: ME410 1943–1944

The Messerschmitt Me 410 was manufactured by the German companies Messerschmitt and Dornier as a heavy fighter and Schellbomber operated by the Luftwaffe in the Second World War. It first flew in March 1942, was introduced in 1943, and was retired in 1945. The Me 410 was produced from May 1943 to August 1944 with a total number of 1,189 aircraft built. Its primary users were the Luftwaffe and the Hungarian Air Force.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603A
Engine type
Piston
Power
2 × 1,750 hp · 1,305 kW
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
2
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
40 ft 11 in  ·  12.48 m
Tail height
14 ft 1 in  ·  4.28 m
Fuselage diameter
3 ft 11 in  ·  1.20 m
Wing span
53 ft 8 in  ·  16.35 m
Baggage volume
—
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
23,700 lb  ·  10,800 kg
Max landing weight
21,300 lb  ·  9,650 kg
Max payload
2,650 lb  ·  1,200 kg
Fuel capacity
660 gal · 2,500 L · 1,800 kg (AvGas)
Max cruise speed
337 kt  ·  388 mph  ·  624 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
95 kt  ·  109 mph  ·  176 km/h
Range
1,200 nm  ·  1,380 mi  ·  2,220 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
33,000 ft  ·  10,100 m
Rate of climb
1,840 ft/min  ·  9 m/s
Takeoff distance
—
Landing distance
—
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Messerschmitt Me 410

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Operational Context

The Messerschmitt Me 410 was developed from the Me 210 heavy fighter and ground-attack aircraft. The main difference between the two was the incorporation of the bigger and more powerful Daimler-Benz DV 603A engines. It also had a longer fuselage and new automatic leading-edge slats. On March 14, 1942, it took to the air for the first time. In January 1943, aircraft deliveries started and lasted until September 1944.

The Me 410 A-1/U-2 is a light bomber version that can carry two crew members. It has an external length of 12.48 meters, an external height of 3 meters, and a fuselage diameter of 1.2 meters. It has a tail height of 4.28 meters and a wheelbase of 8.2 meters. The wingspan is 16.35 meters and the wing area is 36.20 square meters. It has an empty weight of 7,518 kg, a gross weight of 9,651 kg, a maximum payload of 1,200 kg, and a fuel tank capacity of 660 US gal in four wing tanks.

The aircraft is powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines. It is a twelve-cylinder liquid-cooled supercharged inverted Vee piston engine with a gear-driven centrifugal-type supercharger, a direct fuel injection system, and a pressurized water cooling system. Each engine produces a maximum takeoff thrust of 1,750 horsepower, 1,850 hp at 6,890 feet, and 1,625 hp at 18,700 feet. It also drives a three-bladed VDM constant-speed propeller.

The Me 410 has a maximum speed of 274 knots at sea level and 337 knots at 21,980 feet. It has a cruise speed of 317 knots. The standard range is 650 nautical miles at maximum continuous cruise speed and 912 nautical miles at economical cruise speed. The ferry range is 1,200 nautical miles. It can fly up to 33,000 feet and can climb at a rate of 1,840 feet per minute. The aircraft could also be loaded with several bombs, rockets, and guns.