Bf 109 F-4

This page is about the German fighter Bf 109 F-4. For other versions, see Bf 109 (Family).

Bf 109 F-4

Bf 109 F-2

Bf 109 F-4/trop

360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/d/dd/Cockpit_bf-109f-4.jpg

Bf 109 F-4

Bf 109 F-2

Bf 109 F-4/trop

Germany

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.3	4.0	4.0

Class:

Fighter

Research:18 000

Purchase:47 000

Show in game

Description

Dogfights over the English channel showed the Spitfire Mk. V outperforming the Bf 109 E at the time and led to the Bf 109 F series. The Bf 109 F "Franz" series was a significant improvement over the Bf 109 E. It featured the DB 601 E engine, which boasted an over 25% increase in power. The F-4 was also fitted with the MG 151/20 cannon, which was a 20 mm cannon that could fire a variety of shells. It was mounted through the propeller hub, so it didn't need to be synchronized with the prop, which would've most likely lowered the rate of fire. Over 1,800 F-4s were built, ranging from the regular fighter version (F-4) to reconnaissance variants like the F-4/R3. The Bf 109 F-4 also largely solved the issue with the Spitfire Mk. V having a performance edge over 109s. 

The Bf 109 F-4 has been in the game since the start of the Open Beta Test prior to Update 1.27. Much like in real life, the F-4 is a substantial improvement over previous 109s. The DB 601 E engine greatly increases the 109 F-4's capability as a fighter and can easily out-climb many American aircraft, like the P-47D-25 and P-51D-5. However, it is still quite a draggy aircraft, and the previously mentioned fighters can easily keep up with it. Furthermore, the MG 151 cannon has relatively low velocity, which can be difficult for new players to aim and lead well with. Although the DB 601 E provides a substantial power increase, it still has the same overheating issue as earlier Franz variants. Constant WEP usage is not recommended, as it can greatly heat-soak the engine and make it difficult to utilize maximum power after some time. Manual engine control is highly advised. 

General info

Flight performance

Max speed

at 6 000 m665 km/h

Turn time19 s

Max altitude11 600 m

EngineDaimler-Benz DB-601E

TypeInline

Cooling systemWater

Take-off weight3 t

In the hands of a good pilot and employing energy fighting tactics this aircraft can outfly and outmanoeuvre most of the prop planes it faces even at higher battle ratings during up-tier situations due to its low energy loss in turns, high acceleration, high sustained climb rate and low stall speed. It is slower than the later model 109s but it has a better turn rate. The Bf 109 can fly very well at the deck and at high altitude making it a complete energy fighter.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 6,000 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	641	624	11600	20.0	20.7	16.4	16.4	363
Upgraded	691	665		18.1	19.0	24.5	20.0

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	360	437	408	260	~13	~6

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 450	< 390	< 450	> 715

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,950 m	1,185 hp	1,333 hp

Engine performance

Engine
Engine Name			Number present
Daimler-Benz DB-601E 12-cylinder			1
Engine characteristics
Weight (each)		Type	Cooling
610 kg		Inline	Water
Engine power (Stock)
Mode	Max		Take-off
Arcade	1,065 hp		1,212 hp
Realistic/Simulator	1,053 hp		1,200 hp
Engine power (Upgraded)
Mode	Max		Take-off
Arcade	1,305 hp		1,452 hp
Realistic/Simulator	1,170 hp		1,318 hp

WEP Duration
Arcade		Realistic/Simulator
25 seconds		Infinite

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person

Speed of destruction

Structural790 km/h

Gear360 km/h

• 60mm Bulletproof glass
• 8mm Steel - Pilot's seat
• 10mm Steel - Pilot's head rest
• 8mm Steel - Rear fuel tank plate

The Bf 109 F-4, although a small plane, is a sturdy plane that can survive a lot of damage and retain much of its manoeuvrability when damaged. Its self-sealing fuel tanks increase the chance to put out a fire.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB855 → 1 098

RB1 934 → 2 485

SB2 850 → 3 662

Total cost of modifications19 600

32 400

Talisman cost980

Crew training13 000

Experts47 000

Aces400

Research Aces280 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

50 / 130 / 270 %

136 / 136 / 136 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 110 Radiator Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 110 Compressor Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 120 Wings repair Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 000 165 Engine Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 000 165 Engine injection Research: 1 600 Cost: 2 600 220	Airframe Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 120 Cover Research: 1 600 Cost: 2 600 220	Flamm C 250 Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 110 mg_belt_pack Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 110 SC 50 Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 110 R1 modification Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 120 mg17_new_gun Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 120 SC 250 Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 120 mg15115_belt_pack Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 000 165 mg15120_belt_pack Research: 1 200 Cost: 2 000 165 mg15115_new_gun Research: 1 600 Cost: 2 600 220 mg15120_new_gun Research: 1 600 Cost: 2 600 220

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 120 mm MG 151 cannon

Ammunition200 rounds

Fire rate700 shots/min

Weapon 22 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun

Ammunition1 000 rounds

Fire rate1 200 shots/min

The Bf 109 F-4 is armed with:

• 1 x 20 mm MG 151 cannon, nose-mounted (200 rpg)
• 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Suspended armament

List of setups (4)

Setup 14 x 50 kg SC50JA bomb

Setup 21 x 250 kg SC250JA bomb

Setup 31 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

Setup 42 x 15 mm MG 151 cannon (secondary) (ammunition: 250 rounds)

The Bf 109 F-4 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)
• 2 x 15 mm MG 151 cannons, wing-mounted (gunpods) (125 rpg = 250 total)
• 1 x Flam C 250 incendiary bomb

Usage in battles

The Bf 109 F-4's instrument panel.

Arcade Battles:

The Bf 109 F-4 performs at its best when used as an energy fighter. Its flight performance is impressive up to 6,000 m then decreases, so at the beginning of the match, you can outclimb most of the other planes at its rank and then energy fight them in the vertical Boom & Zooming from above. Its low stall speed and ability to prop hang even at less than 100 km/h at more than 40 degrees for many seconds makes it an ideal aircraft for spiral turns and snapshots. Bf 109's good turn rate and roll rate allows it to turn fight not only US planes but also Lavochkins and Spitfires which lose their energy at their first turn. If you engage in a dogfight with a superior turn fighter you can still out turn him by creating some separation and using frontal barrel rolls until the other plane turn by turn loses enough energy and finally its turning ability. It is not recommended to turn-fight Japanese planes or Yak fighters; if engaged on a turn-fight go to the vertical and use the spiral climb stall technique. The high acceleration, turn rate, climb rate, excellent stall characteristics, at all altitudes makes it a wonder to fly. All this gets significantly reduced when gondolas are added on. The 20 mm MG 151 cannon when used with Air targets belt that have a significant amount of Minengeschoß filled shells and is devastating which can be used for a precise fake out head-on or precise long-distance shots allowing you to start shooting as far out as 2 km.

Arcade with joystick: Although the plane still has a yaw wobble, it is low and can be mitigated with Realistic controls. You can set yaw non-linearity to 3.8 adding some dead zone and decreasing multiplier to stiffen and reducing the wobble. The pitch and roll work well and give good controllability.

Realistic Battles:

A very good energy fighter for its rank, the Bf 109 F-4 can out climb most opponents due to its high power to weight ratio. However, use of WEP must be limited or else the engine will overheat, although manual engine control can remedy this. Despite that, it can Boom & Zoom and Rope-a-Dope well, although one must watch out for severe control stiffening around 650 km/h.

Unfortunately, the F-4's 15 mm additional gondolas do not increase the damage output much at all, while reducing flight performance. However, it is recommended you at least use it once to see how effective it is because depending on how you play it can really boost your kill abilities. For example, if you prefer to get into a dogfight, the additional weaponry will not be noticeably effective. However, if you fight in the vertical, where level speed and agility are not necessarily most important, the additional MG 151's can mean the difference between a kill or nothing at all.

The Bf 109 F-4 is not a great plane when compared to the other Rank 3 planes, but it is effective nonetheless. Do not try to kill a plane by coming behind it and giving them all you got- you don't have much. Instead, try to scare your prey into a turn by peppering it with your 7.92 mm MG 17s, and then blow its wing off with the cannon.

Word to the wise: the F-4 is a fairly good turner for its class; if you are chased by a F4U, P-51, P-47D, F6F or Typhoon, turn and destroy. The flaps give the F-4 an exceptionally tight turning radius. Combat flaps can be deployed at speeds up to 437 km/h, while takeoff and landing flaps up to 408 and 260 respectively. With flaps deployed, the Bf 109 F-4 has tighter turn radius than almost any fighter it can face bar Spitfires and Zeroes (it can even keep up with a Yak-3 provided the fight is a contest of radius and not rate), and thus excels at scissoring fights. Be advised though, the flaps react extremely slowly to commands and if you accelerate rapidly, you may lose them; and the manoeuvrability of the Bf 109 F-4 without flaps is unimpressive. However, to survive a tangle with a Spitfire is an ordeal. The best strategy would be to scissor until the Spitfire either runs out of ammo or overshoots you and then try to dive and outrun it. Then, repeat. Do not try to out-climb the Spitfire, but try to outrun it in a dive. The Spitfire Mk Vc is superior to the F-4, so avoid them.

It is important to note the distinction between a rate fight and a radius fight. The flaps of the Bf 109 F-4 produce a significant amount of drag, reducing the sustained rate of turn while tightening the turn radius.

Simulator Battles:

In Simulator, the Bf 109 F-4 is quite a friendly fighter that can perform many tasks. It offers great flight performance with its smooth handling, adequate speed, and impressive climb rate and turn rate. Its nose-mounted armaments do not require any convergence settings, making it very easy to aim. The nose gently slopes down from the windscreen, offering great over-the-nose vision. There are also a few bomb options to choose from which are beneficial for ground-pounding or base-bombing, although these are not its primary objectives. However, the Friedrich does have rather limited cockpit view obstructed by its numerous canopy frames. Rear view is significantly worse as a solid armour plate headset is added, preventing the pilot from seeing what is behind which can sometimes be fatal. It also behaves poorly during takeoffs due to its torquey engine.

Bring at least 30 minutes of fuel for prolonged patrolling and fighting. The convergence does not really matter, it might be anywhere between 250-600 m. Depending on the task you wish to complete (eg destroy enemy attackers), gunpods can be helpful, if available. Although they slightly worsen the flight performance, that extra burst mass can be the difference between a "Hit" and "Aircraft destroyed". Finally, you can set keys for vertical head movement, as lifting up your head a little helps improving the over-the-nose visibility.

Taking off in a Bf 109 F is considerably harder than a lot other aircraft. When taking off, the Bf 109 will shift severely to the left side due to the huge torque, so consider setting keybinds for left and right brakes, as they are more effective at directional control than the rudder while on the ground. As the plane is just lifting off the ground it will start rolling to the left due to the torque, so you must immediately roll a little right to keep it level, or the left wingtip will strike the ground.

Dogfighting in SB involves everyday RB tactics. Utilise common manoeuvres such as Immelmann, Split-S, scissor, barrel roll, etc. The 200-round magazine of the Bf 109 F-4 does allow you to fire slightly longer bursts at slightly longer distances, but getting close until the target fills up the reticle is still a good choice. Note: the Bf 109 handles very sluggishly in the roll axis at low speed, so take this into account if dogfighting at low speed/altitude. You can even pull the elevator fully for maximum agility, but only if you pull gently and gradually will the 109 manoeuvre as you wish. If maximum elevator input is harsh and sudden, the plane will start swaying around and enter a flat spin. The aircraft can quite easily recover from a flat spin by fully deflecting elevators downward and rudder to the opposite side of which the plane is spinning, and wait until it starts a dive and gather some speed to pull up.

If you want to engage heavy aircraft, it is best to bring the 15 mm gun pods to maximise your damage output. However relying solely on the one MG151 cannon might also work, but that requires more professional evading, aiming, and a few more shots. Against well-armed targets (e.g. B-25) you should perform deflection shots to minimise the time you are exposed to their gunners, whereas against well-armoured aircraft with average/no defensive firepower (e.g. early IL-2), tailing them may get the job done quicker. With the powerful mineshells, 1-3 passes are enough to destroy any aircraft.

Landing may need practice for some. It is easy at first: decelerate and descent towards the runway, deploy combat, takeoff, landing flaps and gears in order, fly at ~200 km/h before touchdown. If the plane bounces up with landing flaps, use takeoff/combat flaps instead to reduce lift. Note that you must align the plane with the airstrip correctly prior to touchdown and do not yaw/break one side too much when breaking, as the main landing gears are so close together that they cannot support such sideways force, causing the plane to wobble dangerously or even tilt towards one side, striking a wingtip into the ground.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Nimble, compared to Soviet and American counterparts
• Lethal 20 mm Minengeschoss shells available
• Relatively good climb rate, possibly as good as a Spitfire or a maxed-out P-39 Airacobra
• Good sustained turn
• Faster than most opponents, such as the Spitfire Mk V, Yak-3, and La-5, especially at altitude
• Good performance at medium altitudes
• Better than the F-4 tropical variant due to higher engine power
• All weaponry mounted in the nose, allowing easy aiming without having to worry about convergence
• Flaps tighten turn radius significantly, can win duels against most planes that aren't turnfighters

Cons:

• Overheats quickly
• Additional armament can critically reduce performance, especially in a dogfight
• Poor cockpit visibility
• Gun pods can't load stealth belts, reducing the element of surprise
• Turns sluggishly at speeds under 190 km/h
• Priority target when in AB mode due to its reputation of destroying planes with relative ease, especially when equipped with MG 151/15 gun pods in addition to the offensive armament of MG 17 machine gun and MG 151/20 cannon, smart players will try to eliminate the Bf 109 F-4 first.
• Gun pods have low ammo count, compared to the 20 mm MG 151 gun pods accessible to the G-2 variant
• For Sim, the numerous canopy frames and razorback greatly limit the all-round view, and huge engine torque causes severe turning when taking off
• Flaps react slowly, require some practice to use

History

In real life the flight characteristics of this plane were remarkable, the F model is considered the pinnacle of Bf 109 development, having the nicest flying characteristics of all versions. It has empty weight of 2,390 kg, and a gross weight of 2,900 kg. Powered by a 1,350 hp the Daimler-Benz DB 601E inverted-vee engine the BF 109 F4 had a power to weight ratio of a giving of 0,46. It reaches a maximum speed of 624 km/h (388 mph) and an impressive rate of climb of 3,000 m (9,845 ft)/2.6 min. It also had a high ceiling of 12,000 m (39,375 ft), but a low range of combat of 850 km (530 mi) with a drop tank limiting its usefulness as a local high altitude interceptor. In real life this plane although impressive had its limitations, it could do well vs any allied fighter below 6,000 m and above 3,000 m. It could out turn a P-51D and out-climb it but it could not out zoom climb, outrun or out dive a P-51D or a P-47D at high altitude. We have to remember that the Franz (F version of 109) appeared because the Spitfire MK.V was performing better than the Emil version the BF 109 E in the cross Channel duels after the Battle of Britain. The F version regained the edge over the Spitfire MK V at high altitudes. The 109 faced in the first year of the Soviet invasion a massive score as they faced outdated soviet aeroplanes like the I-16s but also performed well against the Lagg-3s and Yaks-1. The F model improved in power and speed on the G1 Gustav version with a 1,475 hp DB 605A Engine entering combat on July 1942 but it had not improved handling characteristics over the F model.

Archive of the in-game description

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a single-seat monoplane fighter used by the Luftwaffe before and during WWII. It was used as a fighter, interceptor, high-altitude interceptor, fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The Bf 109 F variant, or "Friedrich", was a replacement for the Emil. Friedrich reached front-line units in the Autumn of 1941 and, by the middle of the following year, almost two-thirds of Luftwaffe fighter regiments were equipped with the variant.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the Bf 109 F-4 from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

The Shooting Range #224 - Pages of History section at 03:53 discusses allied efforts to capture the Bf 109 F-4.

Realistic: Bf 109 F-4 [German Engineering at its Best]" - Jengar

See also

Related development

• Bf 109 F-4 (USA)
• Bf 109 F-4/trop
• Bf 109 F-4 (Italy)

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• Macchi C. 205 serie 3
• Fiat G.55 sottoserie 0
• Kawasaki Ki-61-I tei
• Kawasaki Ki-100

External links

• Official data sheet - more details about the performance