Messerschmitt Me 210

1939

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Messerschmitt Me 210

Almost from the earliest moments of its service trials the Bf 110 had been found to lack one essential characteristic of a fighter - good manoeuvrability. The Me 210 (which originated in 1937) was designed as a superior twin-engined multi-purpose aircraft to replace the Bf 110. The outcome was similar to that of several other projects in aviation history: the Bf 110 long outlived the aircraft intended to replace it.

Somewhat similar in appearance to the Bf 110 in original prototype form, when first flown on 2 September 1939 it was found to be so unstable that the twin fin/rudder tail unit (borrowed from its predecessor) was replaced by a more conventional large single fin and rudder. Despite this and other modifications, stability was still very marginal. Although introduced into operational service in Me 210A, B and C versions from early 1941, most were being replaced within two years.

FACTS AND FIGURES

© The rear gunner controlled rear-facing machine guns in twin barbettes which gave much trouble in early service. Forward-firing armament was two cannon and four machine guns.

© The prototype had a twin tail arrangement like the Bf 110, but in an effort to cure stability problems subsequent aircraft had a single tail and enlarged tailplane. This failed to make much difference.

© Some late Me 210s were built with automatic slots in the leading edge of the wings and an extended rear fuselage. These changes were incorporated in the much better Me 410 Hornisse.

Messerschmitt Me 210 on YOUTUBE

Messerschmitt Me 210

3-View 
Messerschmitt Me 210A three-view drawing (1630 x 1106)

Comments
Barry, 31.08.2016 14:46

What a dog! This plane failed comprehensively in all areas. The Luftwaffe took 90 German built Me 210 A and a further 108 Hungarian built Me 210 Ca-1. The Royal Hungarian Air Force took 179 Hungarian built Me 210 Ca-1. The Imperial Japanese Army took delivery of one Me 210 A, delivered by U Boat, for the testing unit of the First Tachikawa Air Army Arsenal.

Me 210 early model

Power 2 x 1,322 h.p. Daimler Benz 601F inverted V12 liquid cooled engines.

Crew 2
Span 53'7" Length 36'10" Height 12'2" Wing area 390 sq ft
Empty weight 15,586 lb Max take off weight 21,938 lb

Max speed 350 mph at 17,800 ft
Range 1,130 miles Service ceiling 29,200 ft

Armament 2 x 20 mm MG 151 /20 cannons.
2 (later 4) x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns
2 x 13 mm MG 131 machine guns one each firing
out of FDSL 131 /1B remotely operated turret
2 x 1,100 lb, or 2 x 550 lb, or 8 x 110 lb bombs
carried internally.

reply

Fardad Izadi, e-mail, 17.02.2014 15:55

What are the technical reasons to prefer the development of this aircraft till Me-410 vs Ar-240?

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dashanya, 18.06.2011 07:18

Please could E-mail me a colour cockpit photo as I am building a model of A1 variant

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wlkriessmann, e-mail, 24.09.2010 01:04

two take of`s with a 210-DR+00 pn August 8th 1944 at Hildesheim . Bad experience,Touched it never again wlk

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Peter, e-mail, 02.02.2009 21:20

Drako: 1. Too short tail. 2. Strong Engine /Propeller coupling. Needed counter-rotating props. 3. Wing stall effects. Needed wing slats.

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Drako, 09.05.2008 19:48

What were the causes for the instability issues?

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James Harrigan, e-mail, 22.09.2007 14:36

Please could E-mail me a colour cockpit photo as I am building a model of A1 variant?

reply

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