Bandits
Messerschmitt Bf109
The backbone of Germany’s air power during the early war years, the Bf109 first entered service in early 1937. The Bf109 was characterized by good performance on the level and vertical planes. It remained in production until 1942 and over 30,000 are estimated to have been produced.
Speed: 387 mph
Service Ceiling: 38,551 ft
Range: 450 mi
Armament: 1x30mm cannon, 2x20mm cannon, 2x13mm MGs
Plus 1,102 lbs of bombs
Focke-Wulf FW190
Germany’s finest fighter design, the FW190 is also a strong contender for the title of best fighter to emerge from WWII. Designed by Kurt Tank, the FW190 was a good dogfighter and gun platform, outperforming the contemporary Spitfire in all measures except turning circle. Total production was approximately 20,000.
Speed: 408 mph
Service Ceiling: 37,403 ft
Range: 500 mi
Armament: 4x20mm cannon, 2x13mm MGs
Plus 2,205 lbs of bombs
Messerschmitt Me262
When it entered service in summer 1944, the turbo-jet powered Me262 ushered in a new era of air warfare. Too late to influence the outcome of the war, it combined docile handling with high speed performance. Just over 1,000 examples were produced.
Speed: 536 mph
Service Ceiling: 36,080 ft
Range: 524 mi
Armament: 4x30mm cannon