Messerschmitt Me 509

Template:Infobox Aircraft The Messerschmitt Me 509 was a project underway in Germany during World War II based on the Messerschmitt Me 309 but with the engine located behind the cockpit like the US Bell P-39 Airacobra. The engine was a Daimler-Benz DB 605B driving a three-bladed propeller and armament was to consist of two 13 mm MG 131 machine guns and two 20 mm MG 151 cannons. The tricycle landing gear from the Me 309 was retained, which worked better on the 509 due to the lower weight on the nosewheel - the Me 309's front landing gear had collapsed during trials. Visibility was also better with the smaller nose. The project was cancelled along with the Me 309, but the Japanese made a similar aircraft, the Yokosuka R2Y Keiun, which suffered engine overheating, a problem that may have faced the Me 509, but the design may have been influenced by the Me 509.

Specifications (as designed)

Data from

General characteristics

• Crew: 1, pilot

Performance Armament

• Guns:
  
  • 2 × 13 mm MG 131 machine guns
  • 2 × 20 mm MG 151 cannons

See also

Related development Bf 109 - Me 209 - Me 209-II - Me 309 - Me 409 - Me 609 Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era P-39 Airacobra P-63 Kingcobra Yokosuka R2Y Related lists [1]