Messerschmitt Bf 109, Things You Might Not Know About The WW2 Nazi Aircraft | Eric "Winkle" Brown

Things you might now know about the Messerschmitt Bf 109. Includes a rare interview with legendary British test pilot Eric "Winkle" Brown, followed by a documentary about his amazing life, and a short documentary about the Messerschmitt Me 262 and other aircraft, such as the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is a German World War II fighter aircraft that was, along with the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe's fighter force. The Bf 109 first saw operational service in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War and was still in service at the end of World War II in 1945. It was one of the most advanced fighters when it first appeared, with an all-metal monocoque construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear. It was powered by a liquid-cooled, inverted-V12 aero engine. It was called the Me 109 by Allied aircrew and some German aces, even though this was not the official German designation.
It was designed by Willy Messerschmitt and Robert Lusser who worked at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke during the early to mid-1930s. It was conceived as an interceptor, although later models were developed to fulfill multiple tasks, serving as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day-, night-, all-weather fighter, ground-attack aircraft, and reconnaissance aircraft. It was supplied to several states during World War II and served with several countries for many years after the war. The Bf 109 is the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with a total of 34,248 airframes produced from 1936 to April 1945. Some of the Bf 109 production took place in Nazi concentration camps through slave labor.
The Bf 109 was flown by the three top-scoring fighter aces of all time, who claimed 928 victories among them while flying with Jagdgeschwader 52, mainly on the Eastern Front. The highest-scoring, Erich Hartmann, was credited with 352 victories. The aircraft was also flown by Hans-Joachim Marseille, the highest-scoring ace in the North African Campaign who shot down 158 enemy aircraft (in about a third of the time). It was also flown by many aces from other countries fighting with Germany, notably the Finn Ilmari Juutilainen, the highest-scoring non-German ace. Pilots from Italy, Romania, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Hungary also flew the Bf 109. Through constant development, the Bf 109 remained competitive with the latest Allied fighter aircraft until the end of the war.
General characteristics
Crew: 1
Length: 8.95 m (29 ft 4 in)
Wingspan: 9.925 m (32 ft 7 in)
Height: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Wing area: 16.05 m2 (172.8 sq ft)
Airfoil: NACA 2R1 14.2; tip: NACA 2R1 11.35[86]
Empty weight: 2,247 kg (4,954 lb)
Gross weight: 3,148 kg (6,940 lb)
Max takeoff weight: 3,400 kg (7,496 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 605A-1 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engine 1,475 PS (1,455 hp; 1,085 kW)
Propellers: 3-bladed VDM 9-12087, 3 m (9 ft 10 in) diameter light-alloy constant-speed propeller
Performance
Maximum speed: 520 km/h (320 mph, 280 kn) at sea level
588 km/h (365 mph; 317 kn) at 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
642 km/h (399 mph; 347 kn) at 6,300 m (20,669 ft)
622 km/h (386 mph; 336 kn) at 8,000 m (26,247 ft)
Cruise speed: 590 km/h (370 mph, 320 kn) at 6,000 m (19,685 ft)
Range: 880-1,144 km (547-711 mi, 475-618 nmi)
Combat range: 440-572 km (273-355 mi, 238-309 nmi) 440-572 km to the front and back home
Ferry range: 1,144-1,994 km (711-1,239 mi, 618-1,077 nmi) 1144 without and 1994 with droptank
Service ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)
Rate of climb: 20.1 m/s (3,960 ft/min)
Wing loading: 196 kg/m2 (40 lb/sq ft)
Power/mass: 0.344 kW/kg (0.209 hp/lb)
Armament
Guns:
2 × 13 mm (.51 in) synchronized MG 131 machine guns with 300 rpg
1 × 20 mm (.78 in) MG 151/20 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 200 rpg or
1 x 30 mm (1.18 in) MK 108 cannon as centerline Motorkanone with 65 rpg (G-6/U4 variant)
2 × 20 mm MG 151/20 underwing cannon pods with 135 rpg (optional kit-Rüstsatz VI)
Rockets: 2 × 21 cm (8 in) Wfr. Gr. 21 rockets (G-6 with BR21)
Bombs: 1 × 250 kg (551 lb) bomb or 4 × 50 kg (110 lb) bombs or 1 × 300-litre (79 US gal) drop tank
Avionics
FuG 16Z radio
00:00:00 Messerschmitt Bf 109
00:10:05 Eric Winkle Brown. Documentary
01:28:32 Messerschmitt Me 262
01:42:05 Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet Testing
01:52:03 Watch More Aircraft Videos
#airplane #messerschmitt #bf109

[@Dronescapes]

Click the link to watch more aircraft, heroes and their stories, missions: www.youtube.com/@Dronescapes

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

It’s crazy the Germans didn’t make more Condors, I wonder if it was because they didn’t have the materials.

[@kayhan101]

A great documentary about a pilot's pilot.

[@paulvial9390]

😊P

[@timothykerr9047]

By the end of 42 the Germans should have stopped producing the ME 1O9. It would have been extremely difficult for a new pilot to take off and land due to the way the landing gear was

[@timothykerr9047]

​Gemany didn't have the aluminum to mass produce four engine bombers. If Germany had, Germany might have won.

[@sameagle988]

Anything with Eric Brown gets a thumbs up.

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

Quite the consummate gentleman and expert airman, indeed.

[@michaelpielorz9283]

But not this video because nothing special about the ME 109 .Mr Browns name is misused as a simple clickbait And the interview with Mr Brown could be seen more detailed on YT So sorry thumb down for annoying content.

[@johnpalmer5131]

Eric Brow is the exception the adage’There are bold pilots and there are old pilots but very few who are are both’… he is one of those few…

[@peterparsons7141]

100% one of the most interesting men of that generation.

[@LeopardIL2]

R.I.P. Eric, what a Gentleman and technical pilot.

[@dsslimone]

An absolutely class act. One person when he talks you are captivated to listen.

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍

[@darrendavies7290]

He still hold the world record of flying most air crafts 👍 the man was a legend. He be very missed.

[@gerhardgotzmann8880]

What an incredible life Eric Brown had...very impressed by his fair assessment of German aircraft and people he met - did not know he flew with Udet!

[@jamesportrais3946]

Amazing man and a life well worth celebrating.

[@paulvanniekerk1027]

I AGREE, WHAT A LUCID WELL ORGANISED GENIUS, I ENJOYED EVERY SECOND OF HIS WELL DOCUMENTED ACCOUNT OF SUCH A SUCCESSFUL AIRMAN.

[@Vtwin60]

Amazing interview with Eric Brown. It's unreal how they went from friends with a common interest to flying against and killing one another. What a sad time in European history

[@billshiff2060]

and now they are BOTH wiped out by migrants flooding in.

[@alexandrepiffard9293]

This gentleman, veteran combat and test pilot, has such a charisma of whom could lead through dire times and challenges. He has witnessed so many events and situations in aviation. Thrilling and captivating… many thanks Sir !

[@Dronescapes]

Eric Brown was one of the greatest test pilots, if not the greatest of all, that ever lived. You might enjoy some of his other videos. Here is a playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@PalaceofPlacentia]

what an amazing man , you could listen to him for hours upon hours. sadly he passed away on 21st February 2016 - may he rest in peace. thanks to this channel his stories and his memories live on

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍

[@towgod7985]

HMS Audacity was the WORLD'S FIRST escort carrier! God bless Eric Brown.

[@normansindana4366]

Eric Brown was an interesting engaging leader from listening to him. Passionate and focussed throughout 🎉🎉🎉

[@Dronescapes]

You should not miss his biography, priceless! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@64mustangfan]

Without any doubt, this is the most captivating video I've watched on YT, . Eric Brown was an incredible man, also without malice.

[@Dronescapes]

Well said. Here is a playlist with his interviews, including his biography: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU Just in case you missed any.

[@NWSquatch121]

Dude is a HERO!!! Fought in a world War, flew everything that had wings and made historic decisions thank God for Eric Brown!!!!

[@markcook4043]

Mr Eric Brown is the most intelligent human i ever heard taking about Ww2 aircraft I’m learning more.

[@mrrberger]

Between the lines, it's phenomenal how much German engineering has had on the world. I dip my hat to Eric for a life served well to his profession and country.

[@Dronescapes]

You should not miss his biography kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@richardbennett1856]

Well said... Eric is on The Mount Rushmore of Test Pilots.

[@sharoncassell9358]

We are still wurking alongside Germany. Our recent space project is ongoing. Sophie prevails.

[@geeeeeee3]

In college in the 70s we told that it was essential to learn German as most of the scientific research papers were in German.

[@1Lakeman1]

I met Gunther Rall at an rc airplane giant warbirds show. It was at Lums Pond Delaware. He had a small ME-109 in his hands and needed the landing gear repaired. I fixed it for him. He said he flew them in the war. He shot down 275 airplanes and was shot down 8 times himself. He was ranked 3rd in the world for shooting down other aircraft.

[@xchrisx84x10]

I love coming back to his stories every few years. It's like listening for the first time.

[@luminast]

What a man, what a life. Well done, sir Brown.

[@marksellers4875]

The man is a national treasure. It's incredible that a single fellow achieved and experience so much.

[@Dronescapes]

Indeed. If by any chance you missed some of this episodes, here is a playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@gerhardgotzmann8880]

Wow- did not know Brown flew with Udet, amazing story…if he as a young British man could feel excited about Germany in 1938, imagine his German counterparts…

[@Dronescapes]

He loved aviation. He also has harsh words for Germany in other interviews. Did you know that he also got to interrogate Göring? He traded a German captured aircraft that the Americans wanted, for the opportunity of interrogating him. You should watch his biography, it is very interesting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@tomaskoupil5994]

I appreciate that you say MIGHT NOT KNOW, instead of DIDN'T KNOW, like some other content creators. That is polite, kind and shows that you don't think your audience is full of dummies.

[@Dronescapes]

I assume a lot of them often know a lot. Some are truly knowledgeable. There is always something to learn from the community. Thank you for the kind comment

[@mrcroob8563]

The thing it REALLY shows is how pedantic people can be. Its a common title format not a statement on intelligence.

[@old_guard2431]

You have saved me a lot of typing. There are more things I didn’t know in this video than all of the “nobody knows” videos put together.

[@BJAJones]

The very first aircraft shown in this video isn't actually a ME 109 at all - it's a postwar Hispano HA-112 Buchon. The 109 was fitted with a Daimler-Benz inverted V12 engine, but the Buchon used a conventional Merlin. This meant that the 109's exhausts were low on the nose, while the Buchon's were high up. The Buchon was often used in movies painted in Luftwaffe colours.

[@sadisticmaster46]

Actually the very first prototype 109's were fitted with Rolls Royce Kestrel engines as the inverted DB engine were not ready yet.

[@BJAJones]

@@sadisticmaster46 True. However, this doesn't alter the fact that the vast majority of 109s had the inverted V. Or that the first plane shown in the video isn't a 109.

[@wanderschlosser1857]

​@@sadisticmaster46 And the first inverted V-engines installed in a BF-109 were actually Jumo's, not DB's.

[@jamesstafford5199]

Great observation!

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

What an amazing gentleman, loved his stories about Germany, pre-war: fantastic stuff, all of it!

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you

[@StalinLovsMsmZioglowfagz]

@@Dronescapes Yes, I rarely watch videos this long, you kept me interested, despite the odd bookends!

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Same in ussr was and now many Russians kamrados very interested about Germany WW2 era very interested very 😊😊😅😅😮😢🎉😂😂❤

[@fredorman2429]

As a younger man I had wanted to learn to fly. Today I realize that I never had the reflexes and couldn’t walk an chew gum at he same time. In addition, my problem solving method was to draw a line down the center of a legal pad, label one side pro and the other side con. My admiration for people of Captain Brown’s ability is immense.

[@Dronescapes]

You can always try!

[@edotis3389]

Hes right there with Chuck Yager in my book. I cant believe ive never heard of this guy. Truly Facinating!!!❤

[@Dronescapes]

Ed, Eric "Winkle" Brown is the test pilot that flew most different aircraft in history, close to 500 and not including variations! Actually Chuck Yeager never liked Eric Brown, perhaps because he went around saying that just before the scheduled Miles M.52 test flight (we the aircraft being 92% ready), ready to break the sound barrier well ahead of Chuck Yeager, the test and the entire program were inexplicably cancelled, despite a scale model flight breaking the sound barrier later. Eric Brown always maintained that Bell also used Miles research they had full access to, to solve/fix the Bell X-1 problems. In short he implied that the US robbed the UK of a record breaking flight, but also that they used their research to accomplish theirs. Given the G.E. (General Electric) received the first turbojet in the world from Britain in 1941 (yes the invention was British, and the first flight was Germany's), and that the first US jet engine to fly in the US in 1941 was British, with the Bell XP-59 in 1942, you can vaguely see how things were going. You can argue that it was a very small price to pay, given that the US literally saved the Empire from Nazi Germany.. If you are interested, there is a WONDERFUL documentary about Whittle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWG3ZWCOfJtkaLM It is made by the same producer and dear friend that interviewed Eric Brown. We also have more videos with Eric Brown, here is a playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU We also have a short biography on Chuck Yeager: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZSch6CYosaSqZo

[@dianedougwhale7260]

You must be from the land of the free and the brave - USA .

[@f4udhorn]

Fascinating, encyclopaedic biography of the man and the machines he flew as well as Germany's history in jets. Wonderful video!

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you

[@jjcastleberry3662]

What an AMAZING man Captain Brown was!!!! Salute!!!

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍👍 do not miss his biography kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@fredhinck9685]

Wish I would have listened more when my dad was talking about his time repairing aircraft during the war. From the German perspective.

[@alakhazom]

Thanks to him, and others like him in the fight against communism. May their glory be a testament for us,to carry on.

[@davidmanly9271]

Definatly the greatest generation. My thanks to each of you. The experiences of this paticular pilot is fantastic. What a ride, not only in the war, but also testing the enemies planes

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you David. His name is Eric Brown, the test pilot that flew most different aircraft in history. Here is a playlist with his video, including his unmissable biography: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@bigwhig3126]

I've been a student of WW2 since I was a kid and this is one of the most fascinating interviews I've ever seen. This is a very intelligent man who has a very good grasp of technology and lived through a very historical time in aviation. Just amazing! 1:06:39 is some very good advice on survival. That's probably while he's sitting there giving this interview.

[@surreal6670]

Well then go watch David Cole in Auschwitz

[@flyfish4fun]

They should make a movie about his life , what a hero, amazing man and life story

[@karltavis]

Eric Brown..........What a legend!!

[@johnmilligan2964]

Talk about one of the most interesting people! His life reads like a movie hero! I could listen to him tell stories as long as he was willing to tell them!!

[@Dronescapes]

Did you watch his wonderful biography? kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@johnmilligan2964]

@DroneScapes no I haven't, thanks for the recommendation

[@Dronescapes]

You are welcome John, I am quite sure you will be impressed by his stories, including the time he interrogated someone very powerful

[@peterparsons7141]

The more I learn about this guy, the more amazing he is to me. What a man !

[@AndyJarman]

I hadn't realised, but before watching this I had thought test pilots must all be psychological wrecks. I always wondered what possessed them to risk their lives. I hadn't realised quite how brave you had to be just getting into a war bird. What a breadth and depth of experience.

[@Dronescapes]

Eric Brown was a special person. Do not forget that he tested almost 500 different aircraft, not including variations! It is a record that will most likely never be bettered. Here is an Eric “Winkle” Brown’s playlist, if you are interested. You should not miss his biography: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@jj4791]

All test pilots have the belief in themselves that it wont happen to them, because they are better. Better pilots and better at handling situations. They are universally less perceptual and theoretical and more hands on experiential. They read theory enough to gather concepts but must apply it in reality to gain understanding. Because of this, and the fact many failures and issues with prototypes are very quickly fatal there is insufficient time to learn the new knowledge before one becomes deceased. This is the comedy that is the life and death of test pilots. Blind faith in ones ability to handle what nobody has ever had to handle before, with death as the likely outcome. E.g. test flying a Komet powered by a terribly designed and poorly built rocket motor fueled with chemicals that melt human bodies into a puddle on contact. Yep, I'm gonna fly that one because its soooo fast and I'm a stud.

[@konradhenrykowicz1859]

Very common mental problem of XXI century unicorns. For them the sense of life is to survive. Their life then will be a failure.

[@redblack8414]

What an extraordinary man.

[@lhasaroadrat9374]

He's the Mark Twain of WWII Europe. I could listen to him all day.

[@afwalker1921]

At the very end of the second documentary you have given me the first glimpse of the face of my grandmother's brother during wartime, Luftwaffe Colonel Rudolf Opitz. I froze for a moment on a clear closeup and put my own face next to the screen. My best beloved made the comparison and said, "Oh, I see it!" The past is prologue. My blood runs cold...

[@PU238Wave]

What a life that guy had!

[@joelex7966]

Too bad people like Eric Brown don't live forever..

[@Dronescapes]

👍👍

[@douglaseuritt3919]

I suppose he does still live on in these stories, the closest thing to immortality we can hope for.

[@oreste1964]

I'm a fan of interviews with WWII pilots but this video is truly out of the ordinary from both a historical and technical point of view and I would even say human.

[@davidpalmer5966]

Begins as an introduction to the Me 109 then suddenly flicks into an interview with one of the greatest pilots of all. It's a priceless interview with a man who led a remarkable life. Inspiring if you love flying and with a lot of clues about how to be a good pilot.

[@mattskustomkreations]

Winkle led an amazing, charmed life. He definitely had “the right stuff”.

[@fookdatchit]

One of the best documentary I've ever seen. TYVM 4 the up load

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you so much!

[@brianjohnstone2922]

the gentleman being interviewed is a hero,saved our country with his efforts

[@1dxvictor]

What a truly excellent interview. Both my parents were involved in WW2 and I very much enjoy any history of the war.

[@Archer838]

Very interesting. Thank you sirs for your skills and devotion

[@williambohon3093]

what a man. Great example of what a man is.

[@togsikmale5625]

I love his modesty and understatement as well as his self-deprecating wit.

[@dongraham4760]

Eric makes you aware that you have achieved very little in your own life !

[@Free-Bodge79]

What a absolute pleasure to watch and listen to this amazing man. ! A genuine hero and trail blazer. What a legend. God bless him. 👊💛👍

[@chestersemaver]

Thumbs up without even watching because it says “things you MIGHT NOT know” instead of “you DID NOT know” in the title! Thank you 🙏

[@Dronescapes]

👍

[@forthleft]

A wonderful and very mature effort. Thank you.

[@Dronescapes]

Many thanks Tim

[@BobFarnell]

Absolutely rivetting story thank you for posting it !!

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you Robert!

[@MotionMcAnixx]

There is a saying - there are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots. And yet this man is just that.

[@jon-jamesdougherty9982]

The best 2 hours I have spent in font of the screen for years! A most informative and interesting video. Many thanks for taking the time to compose and present it to us.

[@Dronescapes]

Wow, thanks Jon!

[@KilgoreUSA]

Fascinating interview. Watching this documentary with Captain Brown has enriched my life. he deserves all the accolades and more great man

[@Robert-ff9wf]

Eric Brown!!! I never heard of you before this video!! I really enjoyed your stories and I shall never forget your name!!! You are truly a aviation legend!! You are the man!!!!

[@paullakowski2509]

THE interview with Brown elevates this Vid ...too bad i can't save this!!!!

[@TONYPARAMOTOR]

RIP ERIC BROWN ..... MY HERO.

[@The_Bookman]

Dude flew the Me 163 Komet! Holy crap!

[@Dronescapes]

You cannot miss the story of one of the greatest test pilots in history. His name was Eric “Winkle” Brown, and he flew almost 500 different aircraft kzbin.info/www/bejne/hoS1cpeQr7esmcU

[@johnfoster535]

What an amazing story!! This man is a true hero whose dedication led him to make important contributions that have benefitted all of us.....in addition to being a brave warrior.

[@tremainetreerat5176]

"Bf" means "Bayerische Flugzeugwerke", the German aviation firm under whom Messerschmitt designed the 109. The regional location of the various aircraft manufacturers in Nazi Germany did not figure into the abbreviations/acronyms that the RLM assigned to the various aircraft manufacturers for their aircraft designs ("He" for Heinkel, "Ju" for Junkers, "Fw" for Focke Wulf, etc).

[@sirbader1]

You do know Bayerische means Bavaria, right?

[@theonlymadmac4771]

No mystery here, „Bayerische Flugzeugwerke“ simply translates into „Bavarian aircraft works“, like BMW means „Bavarian Motor Works“

[@Nitramrec]

@@sirbader1 Not really the same. "Bavaria" (Bayern) is the name of the south-east part of Germany, "bavarian" (bayrisch/bayrische) is the leading adjective in "Bayrische Flugzeugwerke" and stated, that bavaria was the home of the company. So the "B" stands for the adjective (not the country "Bavaria") and "f" for the word "Flugzeugwerke".

[@suedougmactavish3213]

Took the QM2 12 years ago on a New England cruise that left from the Manhattan cruise terminal on the Hudson River where all the iconic Ocean liners left from. Was better than leaving from Brooklyn.

[@jonathanpope81]

Best of the best ! Thanks for this fine programme.

[@Dronescapes]

Our pleasure! Thank you!

[@Hugh-Glass]

Easier to name the iconic ww2 fighters he didnt fly. What an amazing man.

[@Dronescapes]

Very few. Eric Brown was a really amazing test pilot, and a great person.

[@nomis777]

outstanding video

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you so much 😀

[@perarduaadastra873]

An extraordinarily charmed life. 🙏

[@timransby1774]

ME109 “Z” …. “Zwilling” …. NOT “ZILLING” Zwilling means “twin” in German

[@lesterweinheimer665]

Great video thank you so much

[@bgchal4662]

that one british guy talk8ng no joke is giving commentaqrt that is incredibly informative not just on planes but the war. holy crap

[@louisorlando9694]

Your doing great! I’m sticking with you on your project! 👍

[@thembathemba3354]

great lecture about WW 2 i am enjoying the story

[@keithplymale2374]

I have personally long thought that if the RN had still had the Ark Royal and Phantom in service in April, 1982 the Falklands might not have happened. And even if it did it would not have gone on as long. Great interview.

[@boydgrandy5769]

And I personally think that the existence of the new aircraft carriers in the RN are a direct response to the Falkland war in 1982, which happened after the last British carrier capable of launching F-4s was removed from service. The RN was pretty badly handled by the Argentines in that conflict, but the RN stood the blows and won the fight, which says to me that the men fighting in a war are often more important than the gear they carry. The performance of the Sea Harrier against the Argentine jets still amazes me.

[@daveponder2754]

The myth that the 109 was built in greater numbers than any other WWII fighter was due to the factory using the "109" designation on later fighter models that were completely redesigned aircraft similar in looks to the originals, but with very little to nothing in common with the originals.

[@sz1275]

Dave, this is quote normal. Most Design needs a redesign to adopt strenger and heavier weaponery. Take a look at the Spitfire.

[@paulhicks6667]

Yes fair point, the later Spitfires had very little in common with the MkI. Completely new wing, different engine, much larger fin, teardrop canopy. Might as well have been given a new name.

[@craigwilcox4403]

Outstanding!

[@tonyelberg7814]

they were the best sounding aircraft ever.

[@peterbenke1962]

Towing by a 111 from 20 minutes outside the target area makes sense. Takeoff would have been the main issue. But sacrifice of 8 or 10 aircraft (turning back immediately) flying slightly behind the main force would have given at least a couple groups of planes capable of flying at higher altitude above the main fighter force. That would have been INVALUABLE over England and i'm very surprised they didn't try it more often.

[@apache58]

Jolly good show, Brown was a marvelous chap.

[@edcook1569]

What a Video! Thank you

[@Beegs164]

Humility in the title brought me here but quality content kept me. Never subscribed to a channel quicker. Great video

[@Dronescapes]

Thank you!

[@jmwisz]

This is one of the best things I’ve ever seen. He explains this and he’s still hard as nails

[@delaunfifield3490]

fascinating! I VERY MUCH enjoyed this!!

[@seanm8030]

Is this the first instance anyone, anywhere has labeled the Me-163 "practical"? Fascinating.

[@MDzmitry]

Well, would you rather fly on a powder keg or *glide* into hundreds of B-17s and P-51s. Not to mention the recoil from 30mm cannons was likely stopping the glider dead still in mid-air

[@seanm8030]

@@MDzmitry Hmm... Would I rather? No, I think I would rather not.

[@MDzmitry]

@@seanm8030 the best answer in this case

[@CharlieNasty-cd5hu]

Practical in comparison to the alternative glider....context is important

[@seanm8030]

@@CharlieNasty-cd5hu Sure. If you're interested in melting yourself with high test peroxide, the Me-163 is infinitely practical.

[@MrFerrie60]

the engine in the ME109 was the DB605 V12 at 35,7 liters weighing 745 kg producing 1475 HP, 43,000 built. The Merlin, 27 liters, 2000 HP, 623 kg, 168,000 built. possible puts the numbers into context

[@MF-le7fp]

Excellent documentary. 👍

[@Dronescapes]

👍🙏♥️

[@robertchubb5602]

Excellent...

[@martinwillis937]

bloody marvelous show

[@wmffmw1854]

My Father ran Grumman Aircraft's Flight Test Department. During Wildcat Development.

[@henrybartlett1986]

Excellent.

[@Dronescapes]

Many thanks!

[@baselhammond3317]

I’d love to see footage of this thoughts on Japanese aircraft, since it is only a brief section in his book “wings on my sleeve”

[@Colt45hatchback]

I assume he'd have enjoyed flying the a6m seeing as he liked the one with the plane feeling of the f86, chances are he would have liked the n1k2 and ki84 too

[@jonco2969]

Hi Brian.. Great idea.. Perhaps make them follow the angle of the hull where it meets the transom.. V.. Or Dihedral.. Raise the outer mounts and form the planes in line.. Or lower the inside mounts.. Likely give you stability in the corners and straight? 🤔.. Just an idea 💡

[@c130comm]

The tech back then was outstanding

[@georgethepatriot2785]

Great video . I feel Eric Brown should have had his own Video instead of being on the end of this one

[@mikeaguilar5764]

My wife and I were married 17th April, 2017, 76 years after Sir Eric and his wife announced their engagement.

[@davidware8496]

What an incredible man

[@Stubbies2003]

Just for clarification the problem with the Allison driven Mustang wasn't the Allison engine but the single stage superchargers attached to them. These same engines were used with better superchargers in the P-38 and that speaks for itself. Nothing against the Merlin engine as the Merlin driven Mustangs were beasts for sure. It also made sense to just borrow the Merlin since they had already worked out the high altitude issues so it removed teething problems that no doubt would have arisen.

[@davidfoster5906]

The Allison powered P-38 had an exhaust driven turbo charger for the second stage that required the hot gas to be piped underneath the fuselage to the turbo on the top of the boom. I believe the P-38 was the only inline engine fighter that used a turbo charger While there are advantages to turbo vs 2 mechanically driven super chargers as found in the Merlin ,the implementation of the turbos in the P-38 had problems. The P-38 was a high drag design.because of the bulbus fuselage , the exposed turbo and all the extra cooling scoops needed. It would of been interesting if they designed a low altitude P-38 that used the Allison with dual speed single stage super charger like in the P-40 or P-39. without all the extra weight and drag from the turbo system.

[@BadMuflon]

My grandfather was a bf109 pilot serving in 15/jg52 since April 1944 up until the end for the war for Croatia. He survived the Bleiburg massacre in may 1945 and after the war worked as a train driver up to retiremenet. He died to natural causes in 2001. I have pictures of him and his bf109 from those times together with insignias of his unit and some war papers and documents. Unfortunaly I was too young when he died to listen to his war path personaly while my father isnt that into ww2... Too bad

[@jumb0j0ck]

An amazing man with an amazing story. He is remembered with a statue at Edinburgh Airport.

[@ColinWatters]

I might have missed it but it's worth reminding people that the engines and super chargers used in the Spitfire were continuously developed and this changed the performance and the performance at different altitudes. I suspect German pilots opinions might vary a lot depending on which version were flying and which version they encountered..