Messerschmitt (undertaken)

The German company Messerschmitt AG manufactures planes; it was founded by Willy Messerschmitt. It built many hunter S for the Luftwaffe during the Second world war, and produced the first operational fighter plan with reaction at the end of the war. Its projection in these technologies astonished American at the time of their entry in Germany (see Opération Paperclip).

Before war

In 1926 Willy Messerschmitt founds at 25 years Flugzeugbau Messerschmitt, Bamberg. The planes name S-xx (sailplanes and powered gliders auxiliary), then M-xx (M for Motorflugzeug). M-19 of 1927 is the first plane with low wing of Messerschmitt. In 1927 it integrates as chief technical officer Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW) created by Ernst Udet. The planes receive denomination BFW M-xx. In 1930 the BFW goes bankrupt but that does not touch Messerschmitt Flugzugbau (MTT GMBH), owner of the rights of exploitation and the patents. The BFW sets out again in 1933 with Germany main road-Socialist. The ministry for the Air places from the orders and imposes the denomination " Bf" in the place of M; it will be Bf 108 in 1934 and Bf 109 in 1935. With the success of Bf 109, company BFW becomes Messerschmitt AG in 1938; the planes receive the denomination " Me".

Messerschmitt and Lufwaffe

The Messerschmitt company is particularly associated with the planes used by Luftwaffe during the Second world war, in particular celebrates it Messerschmitt Bf 109. The Reichsluftfahrtministerium (ministry for the Aviation of Reich) led the development of two dies: for the competitor Heinkel bombers, and for Messerschmitt hunters.

Messerschmitt was like Heinkel a pioneer of the jets. The Messerschmitt Me 262, studied since 1940, is put in production (too tardily) in 1944. In 1945, the speed of this plane was very a bad surprise on the plan Tactique for the American bombers on mission in Germany, but the blows carried to German industry, and the decision obtue of Hitler to transform it into Hunter of tanks, in particular to support the last offensive of the face of the West, in the the Ardennes, did not transform the test on the strategic level.

After war

In the immediate future after war, any aeronautical production is prohibited. Imprisoned since April 45, Messerschmitt finds freedom in June 47. As from November 49, the company sets out again: projects of wind mills, prefabricated houses, sewing machines, carriers (KR 175 and KR 200) which will be manufactured with 75.000 units on the whole.

In 1951, return to aviation: aeronautical studies for the foreigner (Hispano Aviacion in Spain), HA-100 and HA-200

1956, Begun again aeronautical manufacture under license with Heinkel (Fouga Magister, FIAT G91, F-104, wings of Transall). In 1958, Messerschmitt, Bolkow and Heinkel gather to study and build an experimental plane on vertical takeoff, EWR VJ 101.

In 1968-69, the company integrates the group Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm, which absorbs its old Heinkel competitor in 1980. It forms today part of the group EADS.

Planes built by Messerschmitt

Before war

  • Messerschmitt S-14-15-16 sailplanes, 1923
  • Messerschmitt M-17 two-seater light, 1925
  • four-seater Messerschmitt M-18 out of aluminum, 1925
  • Messerschmitt M-20 eight places, 1928
  • two-seater Messerschmitt M-23, 1928-1931 (70 built models)
  • Messerschmitt M-29 and 35 two-seaters of sport, 1932
  • Messerschmitt M-36, 6 places, 1934

For the Luftwaffe

After the war

Messerschmitt design:
    two-seater
  • HA-100 with propeller, 1953
    • two-seater
  • HA-200 with reaction, 1955
  • HA-300 single-seat hunter with delta wing, 1964
  • single-seat EWR VJ 101 v.t.o.l, 1963

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