The performance of the Bf 109 F-4

First test comparison

Unfortunately an exact dating of the first source is not possible, since on the data sheet of the performance curves no dates are recognizable. However it is possible to make a first dating by the contents. As it is to be inferred from the data, the performance data for the Bf 109 F-4 and the FW 190 A-1 or A-2 (FW 190 with engine BMW 801 C) were flown, the data for the modified FW 190 A-2 (FW 190 with engine BMW 801 D) and the Me 109 G project however only calculated. Thus the diagram must come from a time, where there was no BMW 801 D engine available for the FW 190 A-2. The change from the BMW 801 C to the BMW 801 D happened during the mass production of the FW 190 A-2.

Because of the sources published on the next pages there are in my opinion only two periods, in which the test flights probably happened. These are on one hand the time from the summer 1941 till August 1941 or on the other hand November/December 1941. Because of reasons, which will be elaborated with later sources (see page 13), some facts argue for the period of November/December 1941.

Fig. 1: Comparison of FW 190 A (BMW 801 C and D) with Me 109 F-4 and Me 109 G-project - Source: WTS Koblenz

In the diagrams the climb times for climb/combat power and the maximum speeds for take off/emergency power are displayed. The top speed for take off/emergency power was measured by the test site Rechlin with 670 kph for the Bf 109 F-4.