Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse
Germany · Interwar (1919–1938)
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse ("Hornet") was a German twin-engine two-seat heavy fighter — the successful refined successor to the failed Me 210. Willy Messerschmitt's design team redesigned the Me 210 in 1942-1943 with extended fuselage + improved aerodynamics; the Me 410 prototype first flew on 6 March 1943. About 1,160 Me 410s were built between 1943 and 1944 at Messerschmitt Regensburg + Augsburg + Dornier. The aircraft served Luftwaffe Zerstörer + bomber-destroyer + reconnaissance roles 1943-1945.
The Me 410A used 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603A V-12 engines (1,750 hp each). Maximum speed 624 km/h, range 1,690 km, service ceiling 10,000 m. Armament: 2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannons + 2 × 13 mm MG 131 machine guns in remotely-operated barbettes. Heavy-fighter variants carried 2 × 30 mm MK 108 or 1 × 50 mm BK 5 cannon for anti-bomber work. The aircraft's extended fuselage (versus the Me 210) cured the predecessor's stall + spin handling problems; the Me 410 was operationally docile + popular with crews.
Me 410 service was concentrated on Allied bomber-destruction missions 1943-1944 (against USAAF B-17 + B-24 formations over Germany), Mediterranean theatre operations, and (limited) night-fighter roles. Heavy-armament Me 410A-1/U4 variants (with the massive 50 mm BK 5 cannon) were specifically designed to destroy Allied 4-engine bombers from outside defensive-gun range — the 50 mm cannon was the largest weapon ever fitted to an in-service Luftwaffe fighter. By mid-1944 the Me 410 was vulnerable to Allied escort fighters (P-51 Mustang) + production was cancelled in favour of single-engine fighter production. About 0 complete Me 410 airframes survive; one is being restored at the RAF Museum London.
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) was a successful redesign of the failed Me 210. It first flew on March 6, 1943. About 1,160 Me 410s were built between 1943 and 1944. The Me 410 fixed the Me 210's bad handling and served well in the Luftwaffe.
The Me 410 is 41 feet long with a 53-foot wingspan, longer than a school bus. Two Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines each make 1,750 horsepower. Top speed is 388 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane has 2 cannons, 4 machine guns in remote-controlled turrets, and a bomb load.
Messerschmitt fixed the Me 210's problems by making the body longer. The longer body stabilized the plane in stalls and spins. The bigger DB 603 engines also gave more power. Pilots found the Me 410 stable and easy to fly, the opposite of the Me 210.
The Me 410 attacked Allied bombers over Germany in 1943 and 1944. Some carried a huge 50mm BK 5 cannon to break up bomber formations, the largest gun fitted to any WWII fighter. The Me 410 also flew night bombing missions and photo-spying. After 1944, the Me 410 was replaced by faster fighters.
Fun Facts
- The Me 410 Hornisse was the successful redesign of the failed Me 210.
- About 1,160 Me 410s were built between 1943 and 1944.
- The Me 410 is 41 feet long, longer than a school bus.
- Top speed is 388 mph, faster than most race cars.
- Hornisse means Hornet in German.
- Some Me 410s carried a 50mm BK 5 cannon, the biggest gun on a WWII fighter.
- The Me 410 has remote-controlled defensive gun turrets.
Kids’ Questions
Why a 50mm cannon?
Allied B-17 and B-24 bombers were heavily armed and armored. A standard 20mm cannon could not always destroy a bomber in one pass. Messerschmitt fitted some Me 410s with a huge 50mm BK 5 cannon (originally a tank gun), big enough to take out a bomber with 1 or 2 hits. The cannon was hard to use but very effective.
What are remote-controlled turrets?
Most WWII bombers had crew sitting in turrets, aiming guns by hand. The Me 410 had two MG 131 machine guns on the sides in remote-controlled barbettes. The gunner aimed the guns from inside the cockpit using a periscope. This was safer for the gunner and let the guns be smaller and more aerodynamic. The same idea is used on modern combat aircraft today.
Why retired by 1944?
The Me 410 was a good plane in 1943 but became outdated quickly. Allied long-range escort fighters like the P-51 Mustang could now follow bombers into Germany. The Me 410 was a sitting duck against fast escort fighters. The Luftwaffe switched to single-seat fighters like the Fw 190 and Bf 109 for bomber defense, retiring the Me 410.
Variants
- Me 410A (standard)
- Standard variant. About 800 built.
- Me 410A-1/U4 (50 mm cannon)
- Heavy-cannon bomber-destroyer variant with BK 5 50 mm cannon. About 50 built.
- Me 410B (improved engines)
- Improved variant with DB 603G engines. About 310 built.
Notable Operators
- Luftwaffe (1943-1945)
- Sole user. Zerstörer + bomber-destroyer + reconnaissance roles. Production cancelled mid-1944.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the BK 5 cannon?
The BK 5 was a 50 mm autocannon — the largest weapon ever fitted to an in-service Luftwaffe fighter aircraft. The cannon was specifically designed to destroy Allied 4-engine bombers (B-17, B-24) from outside the bombers' defensive-gun range. A single BK 5 round was sufficient to destroy a 4-engine bomber. About 50 Me 410A-1/U4 variants carried the cannon; combat use 1943-1944 demonstrated effectiveness but the aircraft was vulnerable to Allied escort fighters (P-51) which could intercept it before the bomber engagement.
How is the Me 410 different from the Me 210?
Same basic airframe but with extended fuselage + improved aerodynamics + more-powerful DB 603 engines. The extended fuselage cured the Me 210's fatal stall + spin handling problems; the Me 410 was operationally docile + popular with crews. The Me 410 was the successful production version of what Willy Messerschmitt had originally intended the Me 210 to be.
Sources
See Also
- Messerschmitt Me 210 — Failed direct predecessor
- Messerschmitt Bf 110 — Sister heavy fighter (older design)