Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet)

Fighter-Bomber / Multi-role Aircraft

Nazi Germany | 1943

"The Messerschmitt Me 410 improved upon the failed Me 210 platform in a variety of ways but eventually gave way to dedicated fighter production for Germany."

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1 Hornisse (Hornet) Fighter-Bomber / Multi-role Aircraft.

2 x Daimler-Benz DB 603A liquid-cooled V-12 engine developing 1,726 horsepower each driving three-bladed propeller units.
Propulsion

388 mph
625 kph | 337 kts
Max Speed

32,808 ft
10,000 m | 6 miles
Service Ceiling

1,429 miles
2,300 km | 1,242 nm
Operational Range

1,840 ft/min
561 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Messerschmitt Me 410 A-1 Hornisse (Hornet) Fighter-Bomber / Multi-role Aircraft.

2
(MANNED)
Crew

40.7 ft
12.40 m
O/A Length

53.6 ft
(16.35 m)
O/A Width

14.0 ft
(4.28 m)
O/A Height

13,558 lb
(6,150 kg)
Empty Weight

23,700 lb
(10,750 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) Fighter-Bomber / Multi-role Aircraft .

STANDARD:
2 x 20mm MG 151/20 cannons in nose.
2 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in nose.
2 x 13mm MG 131 machine guns in rear-facing, rear-firing fuselage blister packs (remotely-controlled by rear gunner).

OPTIONAL:
Maximum bombload up to 2,205 lb.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) family line.

Me 410 - Fitted with Daimler-Benz DB 603A engines of 1,750 horsepower; increased payload and service ceiling over earlier Me 210 design.

Me 410 A-1 - Light Bomber Variant.

Me 410 A-2 - Proposed Heavy Fighter Variant with 2 x MK103 cannons.

Me 410 A-3 - Dedicated Reconnaissance Model

Me 410 B-1 - Fitted with 13mm MG 131 machine guns over original 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns.

Me 410 B-2

Me 410 B-3

Me 410 B-5 - Experimental Long-Range Torpedo Bomber; replaced MG 131 systems with search radar.

Me 410 B-6 - Proposed Coastal Patrol Maritime Variant similar to the B-5 but in the short-range mold.

Me 410 B-7 - Prototype Reconnaissance Models updated from B-3 model.

Me 410 B-8 - Prototype Reconnaissance Models updated from B-3 model.

Me 410C - High Altitude Derivative

Me 410D - Improved B-series models for higher-altitude performance.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/26/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse ("Hornet") was a further development of the ultimately-abandoned Me 210 design which suffered throughout its short service life with stability and handling issues. Though improved to some extent by the Hungarians in the Me 210C model, it was the Me 410 that truly evolved the line. The new aircraft was given an all-new designation (Me 410) to differentiate the type from its previous failed form and went on to prove itself an effective combat platform for its part in World War 2 (1939-1945).

The Me 410 saw the introduction of the new Daimler-Benz DB 603A which offered up 1,750 horsepower through a twin engine arrangement. These powerplants were mounted to lengthened, streamlined nacelles at each wing, extending some over the leading edges. The aircraft was crewed by two (pilot and dedicated gunner). As a heavy fighter, the aircraft was outfitted with 2 x 20mm MG 151 cannons along with 2 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns (mounted in the nose). Additionally, a pair of 13mm MG 131 type machine guns were used in side blister mounts (remote-controlled operation) as a defensive measure against trailing, intercepting enemy aircraft. The bomb load carried could total up to 2,200 pounds of conventional drop stores held in an internal bomb bay.

The Me 410 found success against Allied bomber formations but was a lesser match when confronted by more compact, agile escort fighters. It excelled in the close-support role where the issues encountered in the preceding Me 210 design seemed to have been all ironed out. Variations in the Me 410 family included a variety of fighter-bomber / reconnaissance forms as well as several proposed and experimental derivatives. Service introduction came during 1943 but its late entry into the war meant a short operational life as German resources increasingly committed to the production of fighters like the proven Messerschmitt Bf 109G.

Total Me 410 production numbered 1,189 units before war's end.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) . Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 1,189 Units
Contractor(s): Messerschmitt - Germany

[ Hungary; Nazi Germany ]

1 / 4

Image of the Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet)

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

2 / 4

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

3 / 4

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

4 / 4

Image copyright www.MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

❮ ❯

Going Further...
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) Fighter-Bomber / Multi-role Aircraft appears in the following collections:

HOME

AVIATION INDEX

AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY

AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)