BFW M.35
The BFW M.35, sometimes known as the Messerschmitt M 35, was a German sports plane of the early 1930s. It was the last of a line designed by Willy Messerschmitt.
Development
Over the period 1927-33 Messerschmitt designed a series of six sports plane planes, the single seat M.17 and M.19, and the two-seat M.23, M.27 M.31 and finally the M.35.[1] With the exception of the M.23, none sold in large numbers. They were all single-engine low-wing cantilever monoplanes with open cockpits and fixed undercarriage. The M.35 kept the extended fuselage of the M.27 and combined it with an undercarriage of single leg, spatted form.[2]
Two different engines were used. The M35a had a 112 kW (150 hp), seven-cylinder radial Siemens Sh 14a and the M.35b a 100 kW (135 hp) four-cylinder inline inverted air cooled Argus As 8b. The former was the shorter and faster of the two. The aircraft first flew in 1933.[2]
Operational history
The aircraft was first shown to the public and potential buyers at the 1934 Aerosalon in Geneva. In that year, Rudolph Hess won the Zugspitz trophy in a M.35. In 1934-1935, Will Stor won the German Aerobatic Championship in a M.35a, and in 1935 the women's prize was taken by Vera von Bissing in a similar machine.[2]
Despite these successes and strong performances at other venues in the late 1930s, only 15 M.35s were built, 13 registered in Germany, one in Spain[3] and reputedly one in Romania.[4] Though the M.35a was faster, the M.35b was commoner; only two M.35as are definitely identified.
Operators
Specifications (M.35a)
Data from Smith 1971, p. 34
General characteristics
- Crew: 2
- Length: 7.48 m (24 ft 6 in)
- Wingspan: 11.57 m (37 ft 11⅓ in)
- Height: 2.75 m (9 ft 0 in)
- Wing area: [4] 17.0 m2 (183 ft2)
- Empty weight: 500 kg (1,102 lb)
- Gross weight: 800 kg (1,764 lb)
- Powerplant: 1 × Siemens Sh 14a 7-cylinder radial, 110 kW (150 hp)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 230 km/h (143 mph)
- Cruising speed: [4] 195 km/h (122 mph)
- Range: 700 km (435 miles)
- Service ceiling: [4] 5,800 m (19,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: [4] to 1,000 m 5.1 m/s (994 ft/min)
References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Messerschmitt civil aircraft. |
- Citations
- Cited sources
- Smith, J Richard (1971). Messerschmitt an aircraft album. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0224-X.
|
|