Messerschmitt Bf 110C-1

Messerschmitt Bf.110C-1

Country of origin: Germany

Type: Two or three-seat Long-Range Fighter

Powerplant: Two 1,050 hp (at take-off) Daimler-Benz DB 601A-1 12-cylinder liquid cooled (1,100 hp at 12,140 ft)

Dimensions
Length: 39 ft 7.25 in
Height: 13 ft 6.5 in
Wingspan: 53 ft 3.75 in
Wing area: 413.334 sq ft

Weights
Empty: 9,755 lb
Empty equipped: 10,769 lb
Maximum overload: 14,880 lb

Performance
Max Speed (13,289 load)at sea level: 295 mph
Max Speed at 13,120 ft : 336 mph
Maximum Cruising speed : 262 mph at sea level
Maximum Cruising speed : 304 mph at 16,400 ft
Maximum Cruising speed : 301 mph at 22,970 ft
Economic Cruising speed : 217 mph at 13,780 ft
Service ceiling: 32,810 ft
Maximum Range (with normal internal fuel at maximum continuous cruise): 481 miles at sea level
Maximum Range (with normal internal fuel at maximum continuous cruise): 528 miles at 16,400 ft
Maximum Range (with normal internal fuel at maximum continuous cruise): 565 miles at 22,970 ft
Maximum Range (with normal internal fuel at economic cruise): 680 miles at 13,780 ft
Initial climb rate: 2,165 ft/min
Time to 19,685 ft : 10.2 min

Armament:
Two fixed forward-firing 20 mm MGFF cannon with 180 r.p.g.
Four fixed forward-firing 7.9 mm MG-17 machine-guns with 1,000 r.p.g.
One flexible 7.9 mm MG15 in rear cockpit with 750 rounds.

Once superceded by more improved models of the Bf.110, numbers of C-1s were later modified to become the Bf.110C-1/U1 glider tug.

The Bf.110C-3 was essentially similar to the C-1, but with improved 20 mm MGFF cannons.

The Bf.110C-1 was the mount of the first pilot to become an 'Ace' during the Second World War. This was Oberst Walter Grabmann of 1. Zerstorergeschwadert / LG 1 who, whilst providing cover for the Heinkel IIIPs of II/KG.1, downed five Polish PZL P.11s over Warsaw on the evening of the 1st of September 1939.