Evolution of Fighter Aircraft

[EnlightenedMonk]

Messerschmitt Bf 109

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 6 in)
Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 2 in)
Wing area: 16.05 m² (173.3 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (5,893 lb)
Loaded weight: 3148 kg (6,940 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,495 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 liquid-cooled inverted V12, 1,475 PS (1,455 hp, 1,085 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 640 km/h (398 mph) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (365 mph) at 6,000 m (19,680 ft)
Range: 850 km (528 mi) with droptank 1,000 km (621 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
Rate of climb: 17.0 m/s (3,345 ft/min)
Wing loading: 199.8 kg/m² (40.9 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 330 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

Armament

2 × 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine guns with 300 rpg
1 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannon as Motorkanone with 200 rpg. G-6/U4 variant: 1 × 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon as Motorkanone with 65 rpg
1 × 300 L (79 US gal) drop tank or 1 × 250 kg (551 lb) bomb or 4 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs
2 × 21 cm (8 in) Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets (G-6 with BR21)
2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing cannon pods with 135 rpg (optional kit - Rüstsatz VI)

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Messerschmitt Bf 110

General characteristics

Crew: 2 (3 for night fighter variants)
Length: 12.3 m (40 ft 6 in)
Wingspan: 16.3 m (53 ft 4 in)
Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 9 in)
Wing area: 38.8 m² (414 ft²)
Empty weight: 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)
Loaded weight: 6,700 kg (14,771 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Daimler-Benz DB 601B-1 liquid-cooled inverted V-12, 809 kW (1,100 PS (1,085 hp)) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 560 km/h (348 mph)
Range: 2,410 km (1,500 mi)
Ferry range: 2,800 km (1,750 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,500 m (35,000 ft)
Wing loading: 173 kg/m² (35.7 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.3644 kW/kg (0.155 hp/lb)

Armament

Guns:
2 × 20 mm MG FF/M cannons (180 rpg - 3 drums with 60 rpg, cannon were reloaded by rear gunner or radio operator during flight)
4 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns (1,000 rpg)
1 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine guns for defense

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Messerschmitt Me 210

General characteristics

Crew: 2 (pilot and gunner)
Length: 36 ft 8 in (11.20 m)
Wingspan: 53 ft 7 in (16.40 m)
Height: 14 ft (4.30 m)
Empty weight: 11,993 lb (5,440 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 17,857 lb (8,100 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Daimler-Benz DB 601F liquid-cooled inverted V12 engine, 1,332 hp, 993 kW (1,350 PS) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 335 kn, 385 mph (620 km/h)
Combat radius: 1,300 nmi, 1,500 mi (2,400 km)
Service ceiling: 23,000 ft (7,000 m)
Armament

Guns:
2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons
2 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 17 machine guns
2 × 13 mm (0.512 in) MG 131 machine guns (rear armament)
Bombs: 2 × 500 kg (1,102 lb) internal

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Dornier Do 335 Pfeil

General characteristics

Crew: 1, pilot
Length: 45 ft 5 in (13.85 m)
Wingspan: 45 ft 1 in (13.8 m)
Height: 15 ft (4.55 m)
Wing area: 592 ft² (55 m²)
Empty weight: 11,484 lb (5,210 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 19,500 lb (8,590 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Daimler-Benz DB 603A 12-cylinder inverted engines, 1,287 kW, 1,726 hp (1,750 PS) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 474 mph (765 km/h)
Combat radius: 721 mi (1,160 km (half load))
Service ceiling: 37,400 ft (11,400 m)

Armament

1 × 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 103 cannon (as forward engine-mounted Motorkanone)
2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannons
Up to 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) bombload

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Focke-Wulf Fw 190

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 10.20 m (33 ft 5 1/2 in)
Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5 in)
Height: 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 18.30 m² (196.99 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,490 kg (7,694 lb)
Loaded weight: 4,350 kg (9,590 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,840 kg (10,670 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Junkers Jumo 213 A-1 12-cylinder inverted-Vee piston engine, 1,287 kW, 1,544 kW with boost (1,750 PS / 2,100 PS)

Performance

Maximum speed: 685 km/h at 6,600 m, 710 km/h at 11,300 m (426 mph at 21,655 ft / 440 mph at 37,000 ft (11,000 m))
Range: 835 km (519 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,370 ft)
Rate of climb: 17 m/s (3,300 ft/min)
Wing loading: 238 kg/m² (48.7 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.30 - 0.35 kW/kg (0.18 - 0.21 hp/lb)

Armament

2 × 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine guns with 475 rpg
2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannons with 250 rpg in the wing root
1 × 500 kg (1,102 lb) SC 500 bomb (optional)

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Heinkel He 100

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 9.42 m (30 ft 11 in)
Height: 3.60 m (11 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 14.5 (156 ft)
Empty weight: 2,070 kg (4,563 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,500 kg (5,512 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Daimler-Benz DB 601M liquid-cooled supercharged V12 engine, 876 kW (1,175 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 668 km/h (362 kn, 416 mph)
Range: 900 km (486 nmi, 560 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,090 ft)

Armament

1 × 20 mm MG FF cannon
2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Heinkel He 112

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 9.22 m (30 ft 11 7/8 in))
Wingspan: 9.09 m (29 ft 9¾ in)
Height: 3.82 m (12 ft 6¾ in)
Wing area: 17 m² (183 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,617 kg (3,565 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,248 kg (4,957 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Junkers Jumo 210Ga liquid-cooled inverted V12 engine, 522 kW (700 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 510 km/h (317 mph)
Range: 1150 km (715 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,500 m (31,200 ft)
Wing loading: 132 kg/m² (27.1 lb/ft²)

Armament

2 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns with 500 rpg, mounted in the sides of the engine cowling
2 × 20 mm MG FF cannons with 60 rpg, in the wings

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Junkers Ju 88

General characteristics

Crew: 3
Length: 15.50 m (without radar) (50.85 ft)
Wingspan: 20.08 m (65.88 ft)
Height: 5.07 m (16.63 ft)
Wing area: 54.7 m² (587 ft²)
Empty weight: 9,081 kg[45] (20,020 lb)
Loaded weight: 13,100 kg (28,880 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 14,690 kg[45] (32,385 lb) (overload)
Powerplant: 2× BMW 801G double-row radials, 1,250 kW (1,700 PS, 1,677 hp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 550 km/h (342 mph) at 8,500 m (27,890 ft)
Range: 2,500 km (1,553 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,900 m (32,480 ft)
Wing loading: 240 kg/m² (49.2 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.18 kW/kg (0.12 hp/lb)
Endurance: 4 hours

Armament

Guns:
4 × 20 mm MG 151/20 cannons, 1 or 2 × 13 mm (.51 in) MG 131 machine guns, 1 or 2 × 20 mm MG 151/20s as Schräge Musik

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Messerschmitt Me 262

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 10.60 m (34 ft 9 in)
Wingspan: 12.60 m (41 ft 6 in)
Height: 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 21.7 m² (234 ft²)
Empty weight: 4,404 kg (9,709 lb)
Loaded weight: 7,130 kg (15,720 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 6977 kg (15,381 lb)
Powerplant: 2× Junkers Jumo 004 B-1 turbojets, 8.8 kN (1,980 lbf) each
Aspect ratio: 7.32

Performance

Maximum speed: 900 km/h (559 mph)
Range: 1,050 km (652 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,450 m (37,565 ft)
Rate of climb: 1,200 m/min (3,900 ft/min)
Thrust/weight: 0.28

Armament

Guns: 4 × 30 mm MK 108 cannons (A-2a: two cannons)
Rockets: 24 × 55 mm (2.2 in) R4M rockets
Bombs: 2 × 250 kg (551 lb) bombs or 2 × 500 kg (1,102 lb) bombs (A-2a only)

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Messerschmitt Me 163

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 5.70 m (18 ft 8 in)
Wingspan: 9.33 m (30 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 18.5 m² (200 ft²)
Empty weight: 1,905 kg (4,200 lb)
Loaded weight: 3,950 kg (8,710 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,310 kg (9,500 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Walter HWK 109-509A-2 liquid-fuel rocket, 17 kN (3,800 lbf)

Performance

Maximum speed: 960 km/h (Mach 0.83) (596 mph)
Range: 40 km (25 mi)
Service ceiling: 12,100 m (39,700 ft)
Rate of climb: 60 m/s[25] (525 ft/s)
Wing loading: 213 kg/m² (43 lb/ft²)
Thrust/weight: 0.42

Armament

Guns: *2 × 30 mm (1.18 in) Rheinmetall Borsig MK 108 cannons (60 rpg)

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

PZL P.24

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: fighter
Length: 7.81 m (25 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 10.68M (35 ft 1 in)
Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 19 in)
Wing area: 17.90 m² (192.7 ft²)
Empty weight: 1330 kg (2,930 lb)
Loaded weight: 1915 kg (4,220 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2000 kg (4,400 lb)
Powerplant: 1× 14-cylinder double row radial engines: P.24A, B, C: Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs, P.24E: Gnome-Rhône 14K IIc32, P.24F, G: Gnome-Rhône 14N07, P.24A, B, C: 900 hp / 930 hp (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs), P.24E: 900 hp / 930 hp (max)(Gnome-Rhône 14K IIc32), P.24F, G: 950 hp / 970 hp (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14N07) (P.24A, B, C: 671 kW / 693 kW (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs), P.24E: 671 kW / 693 kW (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14K IIc32), P.24F, G: 709 kW / 723 kW (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14N07))

Performance

Maximum speed: 430 km/h (270 mph)
Range: 550 km (340 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,449 ft)
Rate of climb: 11.5 m/s (2,260 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.376 kW/kg (0.230 hp/lb)

Armament

2 Oerlikon FF cannons and 2 MG's (P.24A, P.24E and P.24F),
4 MGs (P.24B, P.24C and P.24G),
4 x 12.5 kg (4 x 28 lb) bombs (P.24A and B),
2 x 50 kg (2 x 110 lb) bombs (P.24C, F and G).

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

PZL P.24

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Capacity: fighter
Length: 7.81 m (25 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 10.68M (35 ft 1 in)
Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 19 in)
Wing area: 17.90 m² (192.7 ft²)
Empty weight: 1330 kg (2,930 lb)
Loaded weight: 1915 kg (4,220 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2000 kg (4,400 lb)
Powerplant: 1× 14-cylinder double row radial engines: P.24A, B, C: Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs, P.24E: Gnome-Rhône 14K IIc32, P.24F, G: Gnome-Rhône 14N07, P.24A, B, C: 900 hp / 930 hp (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs), P.24E: 900 hp / 930 hp (max)(Gnome-Rhône 14K IIc32), P.24F, G: 950 hp / 970 hp (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14N07) (P.24A, B, C: 671 kW / 693 kW (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14Kfs), P.24E: 671 kW / 693 kW (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14K IIc32), P.24F, G: 709 kW / 723 kW (max) (Gnome-Rhône 14N07))

Performance

Maximum speed: 430 km/h (270 mph)
Range: 550 km (340 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,449 ft)
Rate of climb: 11.5 m/s (2,260 ft/min)
Power/mass: 0.376 kW/kg (0.230 hp/lb)

Armament

2 Oerlikon FF cannons and 2 MG's (P.24A, P.24E and P.24F),
4 MGs (P.24B, P.24C and P.24G),
4 x 12.5 kg (4 x 28 lb) bombs (P.24A and B),
2 x 50 kg (2 x 110 lb) bombs (P.24C, F and G).

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

IAR 80

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: 9.22 m (30 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 9.09 m (29 ft 10 in)
Height: 3.82 m (12 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 17 m² (183 ft²)
Empty weight: 1617 kg (3,565 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 2,248 kg (4,957 lb)
Powerplant: 1× IAR K14-1000A air-cooled 14 cylinder double-row radial, 764 kW (1025 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 495 km/h (274 knots, 316 mph)
Range: 1150 km (621 nm, 715 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,500 m (31,200 ft)
Wing loading: 132.35 kg/m² (27.1 lb/ft²)

Armament

6 × FN (Browning) 7.92 mm with 500 rounds each mounted in the inner portion of the wing

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Saab 21

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: 10.45 m (34 ft 3 in)
Wingspan: 11.6 m (38 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.97 (13 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 22.2 m² (238.87 ft²)
Empty weight: 3,250 kg (7,165 lb)
Loaded weight: 4,150 kg (9,149 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 4,413 kg (9,730 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Daimler-Benz DB 605B, built by SFA. liquid-cooled, supercharged, 60° inverted V12 engine, 1,085 kW (1,455 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 640 km/h (343 knots, 398 mph)
Cruise speed: 495 km/h (308 mph)
Range: 750 km (466 mi)
Service ceiling: 11,000 m (36,090 ft)
Rate of climb: 15 m/s (2,950 ft/min)

Armament

1× 20 mm Hispano-Suiza HS.404 or Bofors cannon
2× 13 mm Bofors-built Colt machine guns in the nose
2× 13 mm Bofors-built Colt machine guns in the wing
Various bombs and rockets

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

FFVS 22

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 7.80 m (25 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
Height: 3.60 m (11 ft 10 in)
Wing area: 16.00 m² (172.16 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,020 kg (4,445 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,835 kg (6,240 lb)
Powerplant: 1× SFA STWC-3G 14-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 795 kW (1,065 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 575 km/h (360 mph)
Cruise speed: 340 km/h (210 mph)
Landing speed: 140 km/h (90 mph))
Range: 1,270 km (790 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,300 m (30,500 ft)
Rate of climb: m/s (ft/min)
Wing loading: 177 kg/m² (36 lb/ft²))
Power/mass: 0.28 kW/kg (0.17 hp/lb)

Armament

4x 13.2 mm (0.53 in) M/39A (Browning M2) machine guns

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Yakovlev Yak-1

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 10.0 m (32 ft 10 in)
Height: m (ft)
Wing area: 17.2 m² (185.1 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,394 kg (5,267 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,883 kg (6,343 lb)
Max takeoff weight: kg (lb)
Powerplant: 1× Klimov M-105PF V-12 liquid-cooled engine, 880 kW (1,180 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 592 km/h at altitude (368 mph)
Range: 700 km (435 mi)
Service ceiling: 10,050 m (32,972 ft)
Rate of climb: 15.4 m/s (3,038 ft/min)
Wing loading: 168 kg/m² (34 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.31 kW/kg (0.19 hp/lb)

Armament

1 × 20 mm (0.8 in) ShVAK cannon, 1 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) Berezin UBS machine gun. One-second salvo weight of fire 2 kg (4.4 lb) with both the cannon and the machine gun using high-explosive ammunition.

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Yakovlev Yak-3

General characteristics

Crew: 1
Length: 8.5 m (27 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 9.2 m (30 ft 2 in)
Height: 2.39 m (7 ft 11 in)
Wing area: 14.85 m² (159.8 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,105 kg (4,640 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,692 kg (5,864 lb)
Max takeoff weight: kg (lb)
Powerplant: 1× Klimov VK-105PF-2 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 962 kW (1,290 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 646 km/h (401 mph)
Range: 650 km (405 miles)
Service ceiling: 10,700 m (35,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 18.5 m/s (3,645 ft/min)
Wing loading: 181 kg/m² (36.7 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.36 kW/kg (0.22 hp/lb)

Armament

1 × 20 mm ShVAK cannon,
2 × 12.7 mm Berezin UBS machine guns

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Yakovlev Yak-7

General characteristics

Crew: one, pilot
Length: 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 10.00 m (32 ft 10 in)
Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in)
Wing area: 17.2 m² (185 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,477 kg (5,449 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,960 kg (6,512 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Klimov M-105P, 783 kW (1,050 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 560 km/h (350 mph)
Range: 643 km (401 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,250 m (30,340 ft)
Rate of climb: 12 m/s (2,411 ft/min)
Wing loading: 172.6 kg/m² (35 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.26 kW/kg (0.16 hp/lb)

Armament

1 × 20 mm ShVAK cannon
2 × 7.62 mm ShKAS machine guns

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Yakovlev Yak-9

General characteristics

Crew: one
Length: 28 ft 0 in (8.55 m)
Wingspan: 31 ft 11 in (9.74 m)
Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
Wing area: 185.1 ft² (17.2 m²)
Empty weight: 5,526 lb (2,512 kg)
Loaded weight: 7,049 lb (3,204 kg)
Max takeoff weight: lb (kg)
Powerplant: 1× Klimov VK-107A V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine, 1,500 hp (1,120 kW)

Performance

Maximum speed: 417 mph at altitude (672 km/h)
Range: 420 miles (675 km)
Service ceiling: 35,000 ft (10,650 m)
Rate of climb: 3,280 ft/min (16.7 m/s)
Wing loading: 38 lb/ft² (186 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.21 hp/lb (0.35 kW/kg)

Armament

1 × 20 mm ShVAK cannon, 120 rounds
2 × 12.7 mm UBS machine guns, 170 rpg

 

[EnlightenedMonk]

Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Goudkov LaGG-3

General characteristics

Crew: One
Length: 8.81 m (28 ft 11 in)
Wingspan: 9.80 m (32 ft 1.75 in)
Height: 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in)
Wing area: 17.4 m² (188 ft²)
Empty weight: 2,205 kg (4,851 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,620 kg (5,764 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,190 kg (7,018 lb)
Powerplant: 1× Klimov M-105PF liquid-cooled V-12, 924 kW (1,260 hp)

Performance

Maximum speed: 575 km/h (357 mph)
Range: 1000 km (621 mi)
Service ceiling: 9,700 m (31,825 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.9 m/s (2,926 ft/min)
Wing loading: 150 kg/m² (31 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 350 W/kg (0.21 hp/lb)

Armament

2× 12.7 mm (0.50 in) Berezin BS machine guns
1× 20 mm ShVAK cannon
6× RS-82 or RS-132 rockets up a total of 200kg (441 lb)