Bf 109 E-7/U2

This page is about the German fighter Bf 109 E-7/U2. For other versions, see Bf 109 (Family).

Bf 109 E-7/U2

▀S.M.79 serie 1

Bf 109 E-7/U2

▀S.M.79 serie 1

Germany

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.0	3.0	3.0

Class:

PREMIUM

Fighter

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Description

The Bf 109 E-7/U2 is a premium gift rank II German fighter with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm". It was a reward in the 2015 Thunder League and later became available as a trophy chest reward in the Warbonds shop in April 2018, but is currently a rare vehicle that can only be obtained through the Marketplace.

The Bf 109 E-7 offers little difference from its historic predecessor, the Bf 109 E-4, but is a model produced from the experience gained from the E-4. Notable differences include a newly designed aerodynamic propeller hub and additional bomb racks, the bomb racks also allowing the usage of drop tanks to extend its combat range.

While essentially the same plane as the Bf 109 E-3, the E-7 trades the inadequate MG FF for the MG FF/M, featuring the fantastic Minengeschoß round. With two wing-mounted MG FF/M with 60 rounds each, the plane has an even more deadly punch, attributed solely to the new installed 20 mm HE shell. Fighting in the E-7/U2 is essentially the same as with all E-frame 109s.

Remaining a great energy fighter versus its historical opposition, the E-7 is somewhat troubled by the fact that it often faces mid-to-later war planes such as the P-47D-25. To engage these, make sure you have a clear energy advantage or, if attacked, fly defensively and attempt to bleed the enemies speed while pulling him down. The Bf 109 E-7/U2 is often not regarded as a good turner, a reputation coming out of the fact that its main rival, the Spitfire, simply did it better. However, especially with combat flaps, the E-7 is a respectable turner able to out turn most planes that outperform it. Keep in mind though that one of the changes from E-3 to E-7 increased the frame's weight. Flat turning should only be reserved for extreme situations.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 5 000 m580 km/h

Turn time21 s

Max altitude11 000 m

EngineDaimler-Benz DB-601N

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight3 t

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 5,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	554	543	11000	22.3	22.7	11.8	14.0	390
Upgraded	604	580		20.1	21.0	22.4	17.8

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	X

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
790	320	487	471	280	~12	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 450	< 390	< 400	> 318

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,550 m	1,050 hp	1,172 hp

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural790 km/h

Gear320 km/h

• 10 mm Steel - pilot's seat
• 10 mm Steel - pilot's headrest
• Self-sealing fuel tank (behind pilot's seat)

Modifications and economy

Repair cost

AB909

RB700

SB941

Crew training3 400

Experts23 000

Aces180

Research Aces380 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

2 × 40 / 70 / 150 %

2 × 118 / 118 / 118 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Radiator Compressor Wings repair Engine Engine injection	Airframe Cover	mg_belt_pack SC 50 Flamm C 250 mg17_new_gun mgff_belt_pack SC 250 mgffm_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 12 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannon

Ammunition120 rounds

Fire rate520 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun

Ammunition2 000 rounds

Fire rate1 200 shots/min

The Bf 109 E-7/U2 is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm MG FF/M cannons, wing-mounted (60 rpg = 120 total)
• 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (1,000 rpg = 2,000 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (3)

Setup 14 x 50 kg SC50JA bomb

Setup 21 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb

Setup 31 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

The Bf 109 E-7/U2 can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

• Without load
• 4 x 50 kg SC50JA bombs (200 kg total)
• 1 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb (250 kg total)
• 1 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

Usage in battles

Click to enlarge

The main armament is identical to that of the Bf 109 E-3. However, there is one critical difference. The MG FF/M can fire Minengeschoß shells. Mine shells have a thin shell, allowing more incendiary material to be used; however the very same characteristics prevent these shells to be fired from older MG FF versions (like on the predecessor, E-3). Thus, the MGFF/Ms are far more powerful than the MG FFs.

The E-7 is able to load bombs, either 4 x 50 kg or 1 x 250 kg. Unless you like to fly at a severe disadvantage, do not use the bombs unless you have to in order to win a match - for example after refuelling/ restocking at the base. The bomb load is nowhere near big enough to make a fighter bombing trip worth it.

The DB 601N engine provides its maximum performance around 2,000 m to 5,000 m (6,500 ft to 16,500 ft respectively) and comes with WEP, providing +150 hp upon activation. The boost will last about one minute from normal operating temperatures.

Tactics

Just as the with the Bf 109 E-1, new players should adopt a hit and run tactic with the Bf 109s. While often called Boom & Zoom aircraft, the 109s are not dedicated Boom & Zoomers and many other aircraft such as the Fw 190 A-1 do it much better. While it is true that a pure Boom and Zooming approach can be used in the 109s, limiting oneself to this undermines ones plane efficiency enormously. That said, the 109s does build up speed fast in a dive and they have a respectable zoom climb that ends in a strong sustained climb at ~270 km/h [optimal climbing speed 260 km/h - 280 km/h]. Doing so will often see the player with the maximum speed or altitude advantage he can have over his chosen target. A straight-up bounce, with a short extend from the target and a slowly increasing climb leading into an Immelmann tends to work best for rookie pilots. Remember to check your six and surroundings during the climb and just before diving back on your target.

With mounting experience on the side of the player, the energy fighting abilities of the Bf 109 E-7/U2 come to the forefront. Fluid and speedy transitions between altitude and speed, together with well timed uses of flaps, throttle and manoeuvres enable the Emil to quickly change the nature of the engagement in its favour.

When firing at enemies, be aware that your 20 mm cannons only hold a 60 round drum magazine each. They empty quick and many a new pilot has seen himself on pitiful low ammunition even after his first attack run. Once you emptied your cannons, the E-7 will be hard-pressed to down a plane with just the machine guns. In your own interest, do not waste your cannons on ground targets and when firing at planes, fire in short, controlled and well aimed bursts. Luckily, the E-7 holds 1,000 rounds in each of its two MG 17s. Use these if you are inclined to spray and pray or are are about to engage ground targets.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Not controllable	Controllable Auto control available	Controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Not auto controlled	Separate	Not controllable 1 gear	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great overall manoeuvrability
• Good acceleration
• Good rate of climb
• Good continuous turn rate
• Good roll rate
• Good sustained turn rate
• Excellent MG ammunition load
• Powerful 20 mm cannons
• Can perform negative-G manoeuvres
• Better cockpit visibility than Bf 109 F-series

Cons:

• Less than average instantaneous turn rate
• Control stiffening above 400 km/h IAS
• Cannons have a limited amount of ammo
• Low muzzle velocity compared to other cannons (Hispano, MG 151/20, etc.)
• Relatively poor durability
• Harsh matchmaking
• Engine overheats relatively quick
• Water radiator is prone to being damaged and leaking, compounding the overheating problem
• Missing its historical radiator and glass armour

History

The E-7 was used extensively in "Operation Barbarossa" (invasion of USSR), it was eventually replaced by the Bf 109 F-4. Old machines remained in use though by other Axis nations, such as Romania and Hungary.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Bf 109 E-7/U2 from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Related development

• Bf 109 (Family)

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance
• Radinger, Willy & Otto, Wolfgang, Messerschmitt Me 109 - Das meistgebaute Jagdflugzeug der Welt - Entwicklung, Erprobung, Technik - Bf 109A bis 109K, Aviatic Verlag, Oberhachingen: 2011
• "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109E subpage
• [Wikipedia] Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 E
• "Performance Information Bf 109E"