The German 109 Fighter Airplane

[schooner1]

Hi Gang
Why was the 109 German fighter airplaned feared so much?

Just joined, looking forward to learning and asking questions.
Happy Holidays to all
schooner1

[Sarge]

Simple - It is one hell of a good airplane!!! It was the equal to/better than anything in the world at the start of the war.
The type was continually updated as the war progressed and at wars end the latest models were still equal to the best the Allies had. For example, the Me 109G10-U4 was faster than a P51 Mustang at 25,000 feet - which was where the bombers were.
Sarge

[Kawinksy]

For example, the Me 109G10-U4 was faster than a P51 Mustang at 25,000 feet

Wasn't the Kurfuerst faster at 1.98 ata? Though I might be mistaken.
I think the FW 190 was overall a better fighter, while not as maneuverable as the Messerschmitt, but aerodynamically much cleaner and streamlined.

[Stiltzkin]

http://kurfurst.org/Performance_tests/1 ... 9K_EN.html
http://www.aviatia.net/p-51-vs-bf-109/
http://www.aviatia.net/wp-content/uploa ... f-1091.jpg

[Cantankerous]

Simple - It is one hell of a good airplane!!! It was the equal to/better than anything in the world at the start of the war.
The type was continually updated as the war progressed and at wars end the latest models were still equal to the best the Allies had. For example, the Me 109G10-U4 was faster than a P51 Mustang at 25,000 feet - which was where the bombers were.
Sarge

Compared to the Bf 109G-10, how maneuverable was the P-51, especially as the Bf 109 was actually less maneuverable than the Spitfire and Hurricane during the Battle of Britain despite being faster?