What is bf 109?

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a German fighter aircraft used during World War II. It was produced in greater numbers than any other fighter aircraft, with over 33,000 built between 1936 and 1945. The Bf 109 was initially designed as an interceptor, but later versions were developed to serve as ground-attack, fighter-bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft. It was the backbone of the Luftwaffe fighter force and was used in all theaters of the war, from the Battle of Britain to the Eastern Front. The Bf 109 was the most successful fighter of the war in terms of total victories claimed by its pilots, with over 100 pilots claiming more than 100 victories each. It was powered by a Daimler-Benz DB 601 engine and had a top speed of around 620 km/h (385 mph) at altitude. The aircraft's armament consisted of two 7.92 mm machine guns, and later versions were also equipped with additional cannons. Despite its success, the Bf 109 was known to have some handling difficulties, especially during takeoff and landing, and its low-altitude performance was not as good as some of its contemporaries.