The Messerschmitt Bf108 Taifun was one of Messerschmitt's most successful designs, in as much as it was still being developed well after WWII. The basic design four-seat, low wing monoplane design was used in many roles from highspeed communications to ferry work, and originated in 1933 as a result of an RLM requirement for an aircraft to participate in the 4th Challenge de Tourisme Internationale of 1934. BFW received the contract to produce the aircraft, which was eventually designated 'Bf108'. The design was very advanced, featuring an all-metal stressed skin, a first for an aircraft of this small size. Six aircraft were built by 1934 - all prototypes and Bfl08As. They proved safe, fast and had excellent low-speed characteristics, aided by the wing leading edge-slats that deployed automatically as the aircraft approached the stall. During 1935 the improved Bf108B was produced, fitted with a 270hp Argus As 10 eight-cylinder inverted-vee air-cooled engine. The 'B' featured a revised fin shape, dynamic balancing of elevator and rudder, removal of the tailplane upper bracings and tail wheel in place of the original skid. This variant became known as the 'Taifun' (Typhoon). Interestingly, over fifty Taifuns were exported, several going to Hungary, Japan, Rumania, Switzerland and Russia.
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