Messerschmitt

Messerschmitt

Me-109Z

Me-109Z

While the Bf-109K series was the last Bf-109 to see

production, it was not the last to see development to
prototype status. Perhaps the most intriguing variant of
the basic Bf-109 actually built was the Zwilling, or
"Siamese Twin" version.

The Zwilling concept originated with Generaloberst

Ernst Udet, who - in 1940 - proposed the marriage of two
He-111 airframes to create an aircraft capable of towing
the Me-321 Gigant assault/transport glider. The success
of this development led to a study by Messerschmitt of
the possibility of mating two Bf-109 airframes to create a
heavy Zerstoerer, while avoiding the disruption of
production lines that would inevitably result from the
introduction of an entirely new airframe.

The Technischen Amt expressed interest in the

proposal, since it appeared to offer a considerable
advance in performance over any other current or
planned Zerstoerer, while conforming to RLM policy
restricting production to a small number of basic types.

Two Bf-109F airframes were allocated for the

conversion, with the project commencing late in 1942.
The two airframes were virtually unchanged, apart from
the introduction of a keel in each airframe to carry the

landing gear, which would be moved to operate from

the centerline of each fuselage. The components were
married by means of a parallel-chord center section
carrying two radiators and gear wells, with a central
strong point capable of carrying a 1,102-pound bomb,
and a parallel horizontal stabilizer. The starboard
fuselage had the cockpit removed and replaced by a fuel
tank with a metal fairing over the position.

While work proceeded, Messerschmitt continued

planning, basing the production design on the Bf-109G,
with either the DB605A or Jumo 213E engine for power.
Armament was projected as two engine-mounted 30mm
MK108s, two similar weapons in gondolas under the
outer wings, with a single MK103 slightly to starboard of
the centerline inside the center wing section. For the fast
bomber role, a single 1,102-pound bomb would be
carried on the centerline, with a 551-pound bomb under
each fuselage.

The prototype was completed in 1943. Preparation for

flight trials was proceeding when the prototype was
severely damaged during a bombing raid on the factory.
The program was abandoned in 1944. The only fighter
based on this concept that would ever fly operationally
was the North American F-82 Twin Mustang.

Messerschmitt Me 109Z
Span....................................................................................13.27 m (43' 6")
Length ................................................................................9.048 m (29' 8")
Height.................................................................................2.69 m (8' 10")
Empty Weight.....................................................................6000 kg (13224 lbs)
Loaded Weight ...................................................................7280 kg (16050 lbs)
Max. Speed ........................................................................743 km/h - 8000 m /462 mph - 26250'
Cruising Speed ...................................................................570 km/h - 3000 m /354 mph - 9840'
Service Ceiling ..................................................................11700 m (38385')

42A

42A

13

13a

13a

13b

12

12a

4

2b

2c

19

20

4a

4b

9

10

10a

10b

8

8a

8b

7

6

5

1

1a

2a

2

3

part.9

TO CUT OUT

TO CUT OUT

TO CUT OUT

A

42

42a

43

45

46

44

50

A

1

1a

2

2b

2b

2c

3

4

5

6

8

8a

8b

9

10

10a

10b

3a

12

12a

13

13a

13a

13b

part 3a

part 9

19

20

TO CUT OUT

TO CUT OUT

4x

2x

14

15

16

17

17a

17b

21

22

part.22

part.22

23

24

p

.

2

4

p

.

2

4

p

.

2

4

p

.

2

4

47

48

49

50a

I

II

Czêœci z drutu 0,5 mm

42a

44

45

46

42

43

18

part 21

18

pa

rt

21

2e

2d

3b

25

25a

25a

26

27

28

29

30

a

a

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

38

39

40

40

38B

38B

38A

38A

cz.38C

cz.38C

38C

38C

41

4

1

A

4

1

A

4

1

A

4

1

A

4

1

A

4

1

A

29a

E

E

E

E

D3

C

C

C

C

D2

D2

D1

F

F

G

G

B

B

B

B

1

4

A

14B

14B

14B

14B

14C

18A

18

A

18B

18

B

18C

18

C

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

35A

2d

2e

2c

2b

3b

26

25

25

29

25a

33

30

30a

31

29a

To stick parts onto cardboard of thickness 1 mm

A

B

C

D1/D3 D2

E

F

G

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

14

A

14

B

14

B

14

C

18

B

18

A

18

C

8

3a

12

13

9

10

10a+10b

2c

2b

2b

2c

19

3a

19

20

18

19

4a

4b

II

35+35A+36

8

9+10

15

16

21

17

17

A

+

17

B

47+48

49

22

2d

2e

wire

17

41

38+39+40

I

3b

50+50a

34

37

THREAD