Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft
Manufacturer: Messerschmitt AG
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse Aircraft Overview
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was a twin-engine heavy fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft used by the German Luftwaffe during World War II. It was developed from the earlier Messerschmitt Bf 110, with the intention of creating a more effective and versatile fighter-bomber.
The Me 410 was first flown in 1942 and was powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines, which gave it a top speed of around 635 km/h (395 mph) and a range of approximately 1,500 km (930 miles). It was armed with two 20mm MG 151/20 cannon and four 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns, as well as the ability to carry bombs and rockets.
The Me 410 was primarily used as a bomber destroyer, with the ability to attack enemy bombers with its heavy armament. It was also used as a ground attack aircraft, with the ability to carry a variety of bombs and rockets. However, the Me 410 was not as successful as its predecessor, the Bf 110, and production was relatively limited, with only around 1,200 aircraft being built.
Despite its limited success, the Me 410 Hornisse was an important aircraft for the Luftwaffe during World War II, and its heavy armament and versatility made it a formidable opponent in the skies over Europe.
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse Specifications
- Crew: 2
- Length: 12.484 m (40 ft 11.5 in)
- Wingspan: 16.3513 m (53 ft 7.75 in)
- Height: 4.280 m (14 ft 0.5 in)
- Wing area: 36.2031 m2 (389.687 sq ft)
- Airfoil: root: NACA 23018-636.5; tip: NACA 23010-636.5
- Empty weight: 7,518 kg (16,574 lb)
- Gross weight: 9,651 kg (21,276 lb)
- Fuel capacity: 550 imp gal (660 US gal; 2,500 l) in four wing tanks
- Powerplant: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603A V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engines, 1,290 kW (1,750 hp) each for take-off. 1,360 kW (1,850 PS) at 2,100 m (6,890 ft). 1,195 kW (1,625 PS) at 5,700 m (18,700 ft)
- Propellers: 3-bladed VDM constant-speed propeller
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse Performance
- Maximum speed: 507 km/h (315 mph, 274 kn) at sea level, 624 km/h (388 mph; 337 kn) at 6,700 m (21,980 ft)
- Cruise speed: 587 km/h (365 mph, 317 kn)
- Range: 1,200 km (750 mi, 650 nmi) at maximum continuous cruise speed, 1,690 km (1,050 mi) at economical cruise speed
- Ferry range: 2,300 km (1,400 mi, 1,200 nmi)
- Service ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)
- Time to altitude: 6,000 m (20,000 ft) in 10 minutes 42 seconds
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse Armament
- Guns: ** 2 × 7.92 mm (0.31 in) MG 17 machine guns with 1,000 rpg, firing forward
- 2 × 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151/20 cannon with 350 rpg, firing forward
- 2 × 20 mm (0.79 in) MG 151/20 cannon with 250 rpg in the bomb bay, firing forward
- 2 × 13 mm (0.51 in) MG 131 machine guns with 500 rpg, each firing rearward from FDSL 131/1B remote-operated turret, one per side
- Rockets: 4 × 21 cm (8.3 in) Werfer-Granate 21 rockets
- Bombs: up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) of disposable stores
