Messerschmitt Bf 108
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The Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun was a single-engined sports and touring aircraft developed by Bayerische Flugzeugwerke. The Bf 108 was of modern, all metal construction, and the famous Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane used many of the same design features.
The two seat A version first flew in 1934, and the four seat B version was flying the following year. The B version used the Argus As 10 inverted Vee, air cooled engine.
It was adopted into Luftwaffe service during World War II, where it was primarily used as a personnel transport and liaison aircraft.
The photo shows one of four Bf 108s which were impounded in Britain on the outbreak of World War II and put into RAF service, where they were designated Messerschmitt Aldon. As a light communications aircraft it was the fastest type the RAF had at the time, but they caused some confusion by being mistaken for attacking Bf 109s.
The nickname 'Taifun' or 'Typhoon' was given to the aircraft by German aviatrix Elly Beinhorn, the second woman to fly solo around the world.
A single Bf 108B was purchased by the U.S. Military Attaché for Air in the spring of 1939 for $14,378 and designated XC-44. It was 'repossessed' by the Nazi government in December 1941 (after having been condemned in November).
Production of the Bf 108 was transferred to occupied France during World War II as the Nord 1000.
Specifications (Bf 108)
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