Messerschmitt 334 Floh

Kilo for kilo, no fighter in the world can match this small aircraft.

Pictures by Josha Hildwine. More info on Luft'46. There are also Boardgame Counters for this plane.

The plane is designed to accompany zeppelins, and thus range and flight ceiling are not primary considerations. Instead, the design focuses on maneuverability. Even at low speeds, the Me 334 is very stable, and "hooking up" to a zeppelin is a breeze. It is also very easy to maintain, even in a constricted space.

Now manufactured by General Motors on license or exported directly, the Me 334 is a popular plane with commercial zeppelin services worldwide, but especially in the ISA.

Design History

Designed and built in a relatively short time, the first plans for the Me 334 were drawn up in late 1934, the test model flew in April 1935. Testing took quite some time, as many radical new ideas were implemented for the very first time. Production did not being until early 1936, but the plane became an instant hit on the market, so production has been steadily increasing since.

Dr. Lippisch built this aircraft on a Daimler Benz DB 605 12-cylinder piston engine. The wings are mounted mid-fuselage and swept back at a 23.4 degree angle. The main landing gear retracts inwards and the front gear retracts to the rear. Armament is two MG 131 13mm machine guns (50 Cal).

The plane is designed to accompany zeppelins, and thus range and flight ceiling are not primary considerations. Instead, the design focuses on maneuverability. Even at low speeds, the Me 334 is very stable, and "hooking up" to a zeppelin is a breeze. It is also very easy to maintain, even in a constricted space. Size was the main concern. After having trouble making a traditonal aeroplane as short as they set out to, they decided to use a tailless configuration. The use of rudders and flaps on the main wing enable pitch control. Also notice the downwards-pointing rear fin which makes the plane easier to winch up into the zeppelin hanger.

Even though it is a modern plane, the Floh's cockpit is cramped and spartan, but many pilots accept this simplicity as the size of the whole aeroplane is kept at a minimum.

Manufacturer

Developed at the Bayrische Flugzeugwerke's plant at Oberwiesenfeld airport near Münich in Bavaria, Germany. Initial prodiction stated there, but extensive demand soon forced expansions, and so prodiction was started at Messerchmitt plant at Brandenburgische Motorenwerke in Berlin-Spandau. After the Messerchmitt – General Motors partnership, plans were exported to the ISA. The Me 334 is now manufactured by General Motors in Detroit.

Recent political developements in Germany have started to hinder export of the Me334, and the Detroit plant is expected to have to pick up demand from markets that can no longer bye planes directly from Germany.

The Me 334 is a popular plane with commercial zeppelin services worldwide, but especially in the ISA. It is being sold all over the world as the number one zeppelin fighter. Demand seems to be almost limitless, and over 8.000 Me 334s have been sold world wide.

Role and Deployment

Though limited by it's short range of only 250 miles it is very effective as close support to zeppelins as its maneauvrability enables it to avoid the flak and lure others into it. It is also very effective as forward observer. It's lack of speed makes it unsuitable for general reconissance, but skilled pilots have used the amazing low-speed agility of the craft to literally fly under the tops of trees and through industrial buildings.

Pilots and Campaigns

The ISA is most famous for the privateers and pirates that operate from within it's borders, but there are good and honest militamen and escort pilots there as well. The most famous of the escort pilots are without question Daniel Roark, the mongoose. Although he has yet to go up against any of the really famous pilots of America, mr Roark has built up an impressive kill score against pirates and raiders. He s most famous for his ability to "bite" an opponent, getting onto his tail and staying there, no matter what happens. This is how he earned his callsign "Mongoose".

The most famous example of this was in a small skirmish over Lake Eire. Roark was leading an escort for a zeppelin bound for Ontario, when the Avengers patrolling the area intercepted him for flying over Empire territory. Only a short distance away were the shores of Ontario, where the Empire planes couldn't go, so all the Steel Skies militia had to do was hold the attackers at bay for a few minutes, but Mongoose played up to his name and picked the opposing fighters off one by one, while his mates swarmed the attackers like a cloud of fleas. The zeppelin finally limped to Ontario and safety, but three Avengers had gone down in flames with not a single loss to the defenders.

Messerschmitt 334				Class: Fighter (Pusher)
Manufacturer (America): General Motors Detroit, Michigan, Industrial States of America, under license			Engine: Daimler Benz DB 605
Wing Span: 9.3 m (30' 6.4")	Length: 7.0 m (22' 11.8")	Height: 2.7 m (8' 10.3")	Loaded Weight: 2050 kg (4500 lb)	Service Ceiling: 5.300 m (16.000 ft)	Range: 400 km (250 miles)
			Max. Speed: 565 kph (350 mph)	Max Accel: 20 m/s2 (65.6 feet/second)	Max Decel: 20 m/s2 (65.6 feet/second)

Design