Bf 109 B-1

Bf 109 B-1

Bf 109 C-1

Bf 109 B-1

Bf 109 C-1

Germany

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.7	1.3	1.3

Class:

Fighter

Research:2 900

Purchase:700

Show in game

This page is about the aircraft Bf 109 B-1. For other uses, see Bf 109 (Family).

Description

The Bf 109 B-1 Late is a rank I German fighter with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB) and 1.3 (RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.49 (aka 1.70.1945) "Weapons of Victory". The Bf 109 B-1 is the first of the fabled 109s that make up the bulk of the German fighter forces in War Thunder. Seeing combat in the Spanish Civil War, the B-1 allowed the Germans to acquire valuable combat experience and develop the 109s further.

General info

Flight Performance

Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
438	432	9,000	23.5	24.0	5.8	7.4	210
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,000 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
491	465	9,000	20.6	22.0	16.2	10.2	210

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
789	320	500	~27	~12

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 370	< 370	< 420	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
1,250 m	670 hp	704hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
3,200 m	600 hp	660 hp

Survivability and armour

Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.

Armaments

Offensive armament

The Bf 109 B-1/L is armed with:

• 2 x 7.92 mm MG 17 machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Usage in battles

Against fighters that are able to tank quite a few 7.92 mm, the best option to quickly dispatch an enemy is to aim specifically for the pilot.

Against bombers, the Bf 109 B-1 performs badly. When engaging, aim for the engine or pilot. Due to its bigger hit box, the engine is the preferable of the two. This could cause an engine/fuel tank fire, making the task all the easier. Remember that propellers often take some time to 'stop spinning', so don't be misled into firing all you have into a single engine. A few good bursts will do the trick just nicely. Alternate to the second/third/fourth engine once you feel like the previous one had enough. Picking of the gunners might also allow you to stay behind the bomber, littering a certain area/ engine. However, this calls for some good shots and a loss of valuable time if you don't get them in your initial pass.

Specific enemies worth noting

The current (1.73) Matchmaker and BR systems are unkind to this plane. The Bf 109 B-1 runs the risk of meeting Hurricanes, a plane introduced to the RAF in 1935 that has a far heavier armament and shorter snap turns. Against better performing enemies, the Bf 109 B-1 is not hopeless, but it will be tough. It is not exactly sturdy and will be quickly stitched to death by heavily armed enemies. Here, maneuverability is key, allowing you to roll out of an incoming attack quickly, setting up overshoots to keep the enemy at bay. A surprising number of players will lose their patience in such moments, making mistakes and thus nullifying their performance advantage. Nearly all planes of superior performance turn worse than a B-1, so if you manage to bleed their speed and pull them to the deck, you will be able to win a turning engagement. However, keep a watchful eye for better turning enemies such as biplanes.

Counter-tactics

The Bf 109 B-1 is going to be a rude awakening for those that flock to the 109s due to their historic reputation. While a capable pre-war fighter, it is severely lacking in firepower. Its two MG 17s 7.92 mm are just about adequate when engaging biplanes or I-16s, but lack punch against tougher opponents such as Hawker Hurricanes. Just about any enemy you might meet has either comparable or better armament.

What the plane lacks in firepower, it makes up in maneuverability, with the later trademark Bf 109 energy fighting capabilities displayed. A capable pilot can make this aircraft dance like any Messerschmitt, but it requires discipline, precision and effective use of the two MG 17’s. When engaging planes that are of the Spanish Civil War Era, the B-1 does best by using its speed and superior climb rate to place itself into an advantageous attack position, and then launching one concentrated attack after the other on its target. Remember to always recycle your speed into altitude and back as the fight progresses. Before zoom climbing back up from an attack, remember to extend a little bit to avoid getting picked off from a prop-hang. As you zoom up, check your surroundings to keep good situational awareness.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair, Radiator		Offensive 7 mm
II	Compressor	Airframe
III	Wing Repair, Engine		New 7 mm MGs
IV	Engine Injection	Cover

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Decent agility
• Good energy conservation
• Rank II with Rank I matchmaking favourability, helps with daily mission

Cons:

• Slower than the He 112 V5
• Only armament is two MG 17

History

The Bf 109 B-1 came out of the prototype V series of the 109s to see combat in the Spanish Civil War. While the 109s faced various issues from engine performance/reliability to an obvious lack of 'punch', the experience proved to yield valuable data allowing for design improvement, ensuring the success of later Bf 109 models.

While the B-1 was the only production model of the 109 carrying the 'Berta' designation, later models that saw improvements to the variable pitch carried the unofficial designation of B-2. A B-1/Late did not exist but might be used by War Thunder instead of B-2.

A notable feature of the Bf 109 B-1 is its massive opening in the cowling. While production models carried a third MG 17 firing out of said cowling, this was nearly always removed after combat trials during the Spanish Civil War. Although the fixed gun was cooled by the air coming in through the hole, it proved unreliable and a detriment to the plane. The War Thunder Bf 109 B-1 does not have this MG 17.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• "Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hangar" Bf 109B subpage
• [Wikipedia] Messerschmitt Bf 109 variants – Bf 109 A/B/C/D