Messerschmitt Bf 109 vs Supermarine Spitfire
Top speed, range, size and history side by side. Each was built for its own job, so this shows how they differ, not which is better.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is faster: 640 km/h against 595 km/h for the Supermarine Spitfire. The Supermarine Spitfire flies further: 1,135 km against 850 km for the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The Supermarine Spitfire has the wider wingspan: 11.2 m against 9.9 m for the Messerschmitt Bf 109. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 is heavier at takeoff: 3.15 tonnes against 3 tonnes for the Supermarine Spitfire. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 first flew in 1935, 1 year before the Supermarine Spitfire (1936).
| Messerschmitt Bf 109 | Supermarine Spitfire |
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| Top speed | 640 km/h (398 mph) | 595 km/h (370 mph) |
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| Range | 850 km (528 miles) | 1,135 km (705 miles) |
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| Length | 9 m (30 ft) | 9.1 m (30 ft) |
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| Wingspan | 9.9 m (33 ft) | 11.2 m (37 ft) |
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| Max takeoff weight | 3.15 t (6,944 lb) | 3 t (6,614 lb) |
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| First flight | 1935 | 1936 |
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| Crew and capacity | 1 crew | 1 pilot |
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| Engines | 1 × Daimler-Benz DB 605 V12 | 1 × Rolls-Royce Merlin V12 |
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| Built by | Messerschmitt | Supermarine |
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| Country | Germany | UK |
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