Me 410 file photo [5708]

Me 410 Hornisse

CountryGermany
ManufacturerMesserschmitt AG
Primary RoleHeavy Fighter
Maiden Flight1 September 1942

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe Me 410 Hornisse ("Hornet") heavy fighters were essentially a variant of the Me 210 development, but the designation was changed to avoid association with the predecessor aircraft. The major difference between the Me 210 and the Me 410 heavy fighters were the upgraded engines, which improved performance and increased payload. Production began in May 1943, and shortly after they were operating against British aircraft. By late 1943, many of them were in use as bomber destroyers, but they were extremely vulnerable to American the British fighters, which were far more agile and maneuverable. Production ceased in Aug 1944 after 1,160 units were produced as capacity was directly toward producing Bf 109G fighters instead. For the remainder of the European War, Me 410 Hornisse heavy fighters engaged in reconnaissance missions only.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Mar 2008

Me 410 Hornisse Timeline

1 Sep 1942 Me 410 fighter took flight for the first time.
11 Apr 1944 Me 410 fighters shot down 10 B-17 bombers over Europe on this date.

SPECIFICATIONS

Me 410A-1/U2
MachineryTwo Daimler-Benz DB 603A liquid-cooled V12 engine rated at 1,726hp each
Armament4x20mm MG151 cannon, 2x7.92mm MG 17 machine guns, 2x13mm MG 131 machine guns, 1,000kg of bombs
Crew2
Span16.39 m
Length12.40 m
Height4.28 m
Wing Area36.20 m²
Weight, Empty6,100 kg
Weight, Maximum10,650 kg
Speed, Maximum624 km/h
Speed, Cruising587 km/h
Service Ceiling10,000 m
Range, Normal2,300 km

Photographs

RAF Regiment troops inspecting a downed Me 410A-3 aircraft near the Sangro River, Italy, shortly after it was shot down on 26 Nov 1943Me 410 Hornisse aircraft in flight, circa 1942-1944German Me 410 aircraft attacking a B-17G bomber of US 562nd Bomb Squadron, 388th Bomb Group over Brüx, Czechoslovakia (now Most, Czech Republic) May 12 1944; photo taken from the B-17G aircraft “Lady Godivaâ€Me 410B-2 Hornisse aircraft, captured by Russian troops in East Prussia, spring 1945
See all 7 photographs of Me 410 Hornisse Heavy Fighter



Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Search WW2DB
Me 410 Hornisse Heavy Fighter Photo Gallery
RAF Regiment troops inspecting a downed Me 410A-3 aircraft near the Sangro River, Italy, shortly after it was shot down on 26 Nov 1943
See all 7 photographs of Me 410 Hornisse Heavy Fighter


Famous WW2 Quote
"Since peace is now beyond hope, we can but fight to the end."

Chiang Kaishek, 31 Jul 1937


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!