MEsserschmitt BF-108 “taifun” Willy Messerschmidt designed his four-place light plane in response to a German Air Ministry requirement for an air race in 1934. The plane proved to be an excellent handling aircraft with impressive range. In 1935 the German woman pilot, Elly Beinhorn, flew a circular trip from Germany to Istanbul and back to Berlin, a total of 2,230 miles in one day. It was she who gave the plane the name “Taifun”. In World War II, the Taifun was used as a general purpose and liaison aircraft, and in 1942 production was moved to the captured Nord factory in occupied France. Taifun’s have been used in many movies to stand in for the more famous Me-109 and continue to be a highly sought-after plane, even to this day. The museum’s Taifun was one of those that were built in France and was acquired here in the United States from another collector.
Military Aviation Museum
www.MilitaryAviationMuseum.org
SPECIFICATIONS: Country of Manufacture: Germany Manufacturer: Bayerische Flugzeugwerke Engine: Argus As 10C V-8 Horsepower: 237 hp Empty Weight: 1,775 pounds Max Weight: 2,976 pounds Max Speed: 190 mph Ceiling: 20,300 feet Range: 620 miles Crew: One