Messerschmitt Bf 110C

Plane: Messerschmitt Bf 110C

Mass: 6312kg

Engine: 1200hp Dailmer Benz DB 601N Inline

Horsepower:  1200 crankshaft / 1040hp max brake horsepower

Wing Area: 38.2 meters^2

Weapons:

Ammo belting:

MG 17/MG 15: ap, ap, ap, ap, ap, tracer

MG FF: hei (tracer), mine, hei (tracer), mine, ap

Stall Speed: 134kph clean/124kph dirty

Best Climb Speed IAS: 248kph IAS

Maximum Reasonable AoA: 12.0 degrees

Top Speed Chart:

WEP Top Speed: 450kph

Climb Rate chart:

Roll Rate:

Turn Rate: (sustained) Flaps Up:   175kph, 139m radius, 20 deg/sec

Turn Rate: (sustained) Flaps Down: 155kph, 121m radius, 20 deg/sec

Visibility:  Excellent all around.  Note the lack of armor behind the pilot.

Control Feel vs Speed:  Sluggush, gets worse with speed, low roll rate, not as good at 109 at high AoA

WEP power boost percent: 6%

Safe WEP time: About 5 minutes

General Comments:

The Messerschmitt Bf110 is an example of how politics often take precedence over an airplane's quality in military procurement decisions.  The Focke-Wulf 187 twin-engined plane was an all-around superior plane, even 35-40kph faster than the Bf109B model of the time.  Technically and aerodynamically, the Fw187 had similar advantages and disadvantages over the Bf110 that the Fw190 later had vs the Bf109.  Had the Luftwaffe received the FW 187 instead of the Bf 110, they might have not had to escort their Bf110s over England during the Battle of Britain, and two-engine fighters might have played a much bigger role in the Luftwaffe during WW2, much like they did for the USAF.  This was not to be, and the inferior Bf110 was ordered into production.

The Messerschmitt Bf110C is a deathtrap in WW2OL in air-to-air combat.  There is really no getting around that simple fact.  It is merely average in climb, has poor acceleration, dives horribly, handles poorly, isn't particularly fast, and is a huge target.  It turns slightly worse than the Bf109E4, meaning that it can't outturn any plane  in the initial planeset but a D520.  It can't run, it can't BnZ effectively, it can't turn.  The only thing it has is a good gun package, but what good are excellent guns if you can't get them on target?  And it only gets worse as the Allies research newer planes.

Get rank and get into a 109 as soon as you can.   Barring that, try to get above enemy aircraft, pray that a higher enemy aircraft doesn't appear above you, and BnZ the enemy.  Try to stick to areas that have Luftwaffe local air superiority so that the enemy has other planes to worry about, and so you have friends to help you out.  The 110's biggest problem is that it has virtually no viable options when the situation turns sour.  The Fw190 can roll, fly fast, and escape virtually at will (unless low and slow).  The Bf109 can also run from some planes, and can scissors, meaning that it can defend itself, especially against a lone attacker.  The Bf110 can't do either, thus when it gets into a bad situation, it cannot help itself unless it has help.

The Bf110C wasn't a complete waste of time, because at the time when it was planned, the foreseeable planes were all slower.  It was only when the Spitfire showed up that the Bf110C was truly outclassed.  The Hurricane is slower, and the H75 and D520 are about the same speed.

In addition, the Bf110C has several areas where it does well.  The first is deep-raid bomber interception.  If the Allies send in a factory-bombing formation, the Bf110 truly shines, *if* it can intercept the bombers, and if they don't bring a serious escort.  Since it has a much longer range than the Bf109, it can stay on station for much longer, or wander over to England to report on bomber departures or intercept those bombers as they climb out. 

The second is in ground attack.  If you view the Bf110C as a ground attack plane, similar to the Blenheim Mk 1, then it's poor air-to-air performance isn't as much of an issue.  It has an excellent strafing package pouring out 73 bullets and 19 cannon rounds per second in a tight cone, and when the C4 is researched, it can carry two of the big 250kg bombs.  However, like the Blenheim Mk 1, it only does well with local air superiority, because (unlike the Ju87b) it cannot turnfight most enemy fighters.  Without a doubt, the Bf110C4 is the best close-air-support plane in the Luftwaffe arsenal in WW2OL.

One special note about the armament.  The Bf110's 20mm cannon are the same as the Bf109E's.  They use 60-round drums.  Since there's a gunner in the back seat, they allowed those guns to be reloaded in flight, meaning that the Bf110's 20mm loadout is really 180 rounds per gun.  However, there is a reload delay when the drums run out and have to be replaced, which can be a real problem at times.  Nothing is worse than finally getting a firing solution on someone, only to find out that your cannon are in the middle of a reload.

Also, if you can talk someone into gunning for you, you have a capability that no other fighter in the game has:  the ability to shoot at the enemy when he isn't in front of you.  Sure you might be losing the turnfight, but the gunner might get a canopy shot, and if he can hit, that can end the fight right then and there.  In addition, when running, or diving at high speeds with someone on your tail, the gunner can shoot back, and a few hits might force the enemy to break off or at least evade for a bit.  Don't bother with the tailgunner if you're flying without a gunner.  It won't save you.

Specific Matchup Comments

Bf110C vs Hurricane (either):  This is the one plane that you are faster than.  In fact, you can actually outclimb this plane.  Assuming that you start with an energy advantage, you can actually take on a Hurricane and win reliably.  In addition, these planes are usually flown by new pilots who won't know how to handle a 110 flown by a good pilot.  However, where there are hurricanes, there are spitfires.  If you stumble upon a hurricane all by itself, and you have an energy advantage, savor the moment.  It won't come again for a while, and likely won't last.

Bf110C vs Spit Mk 1:  Death on wings.  There is no area where the Spitfire has a disadvantage except firepower, and this goes away with the Mk 5 and later.  Engage only with caution, and write your will if a Spitfire shows above you and chooses you as his next meal.  If you have a shot on one *take it* (unless he doesn't know you're there and you can escape first).  You won't get another, so blow your ammo supply on him to try to get a few lucky hits.  If a couple 20mm land on his wing, he's much less of a threat and may decide to leave.  There's a reason this plane has a 3:1 kill/loss ratio on the Bf110C

Bf110C vs H75:  A little easier to take on than the Spitfire, as it doesn't have a climb advantage over the 110, and isn't any faster.  If the H75 is BnZing you you're in real trouble.  Your options are slightly better vs the H75 vs the Spitfire, but even running might not be an option due to the H75 phenomenal dive maneuverability.

Bf110C vs D520.  Before the D520 revision, the Bf110 could turnfight a D520.  With the revision, the 110 becomes just dead meat to a D520 unless you find yourself in an advantageous position by some fluke (such as above one).  The 520 outturns you, outrolls you like you weren't even rolling, and is slightly faster.