what is the difference? I have always refered to 109’s as ME and only found out about BF when I bought Tamiya’s bf-109. Thanks.
Both are technically correct. I believe the Bf designation merely refers to the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke company that initially made the plane. Later the company was incorporated into the Messerschmitt company and all the planes were designated Me. That’s why the 109s can be Bf or Me but the later 262 is strictly an Me.
Since the plane was designed by Messerschmitt to begin with the Luftwaffe probably used the terms interchangeably.
They are both commonly used. The Bf stands for Bayerische Flugzeugwerke which was the name of the Company. The Me stands for the name of the designer Willy Messerschmitt. Germany reffered to all 109’s as Bf, but starting with the Me-163 they used his initials as an honor for his contributions to the Reich. In later years the two have kinda been recognized as interchangeable, although technically only Bf-109 is accurate.
Regards, Rick
Using it to honor old Wily might be true but I always thought it was because Messerschmitt took over the BF.
Bf is the pre-42 (I think designation) There was some political back room stuff going on. The company fell under government control and all types after this occurrence were then noted as ME v. Bf. So all BoB fighters, 109 or 110 should be referred to as Bf.
thanks for the info everyone. I kinda thought me would stand for messerschmitt. I was hoping it was something like this since I couldnt tell any noticable difference[%-)]
Technically, the terms are not interchangable… in 1926 Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bavarian Aircraft Works or BFW) was formed. Messerschmitt Flugzeugbau also established around this time. In 1927 the Bavarian government forced Messerschmitt and BFW to merge. Messerschmitt AG was incorporated as a separate company on July 11 1938, with Willy Messerschmitt as chairman and managing director. At the same time, Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (Bf) was renamed Messerschmitt AG, as a result, aircraft designed before 1938 retained the Bf designation, Bf 108, Bf 109, Bf 110. Aircraft designed after 1938 used the Me designation.
Jeff
Jeff pretty much got it right… but the the fact is that 109s, no matter the variant, were often referred to as ‘Bf’ and ‘Me’ interchangeably, both by the manufacturer and by the Luftwaffe. In my book, that makes the two universally interchangeable.
For an excellent take on the whole thing, take a looksee…
Bf or Me 109? Which is correct?
As long as we’re getting technical, one thing that bugs me is the acronym ‘BFW’. The name of the company was Bayerische Flugzeugwerke… two words, not three. It’s only in the English translation that the name comes out as three words. Anybody got some old Bayerische Flugzeugwerke documents kickin’ around that we can take a look at??? [:p]
Fade to Black…
Wow, it always surprises me the depth of information that can be found on the Forum., This is the kind of info I love, and the kind that will get a ‘glassy eye faraway indulge me as long as possible look’ from my wife as when I slip up and start talking to her about WWII aircraft.
Waikong I have seen that same look on my wife face, but she smiles and puts up with me.
Thad
My wife too… but not for long usually she walks away after only a couple of minutes. At that point I call one of the guys and tell him all about it… guys seem to understand.
My wife refers to this as a “yes, Dear” moment.
Roman