Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 vs Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX – which was better ?

Описание: Messerschmitt Bf 109 E-4 “Rote 12” and Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX MH415 – two legendary fighters of World War II – compared on a purely technical level.

In this video, both aircraft are presented in flight at Hahnweide, followed by a detailed breakdown of their performance characteristics.

We take a closer look at:

• Engine comparison – Daimler-Benz DB 601A vs Rolls-Royce Merlin 66
• Horsepower and power-to-weight ratio
• Maximum speed and climb performance
• Service ceiling and operational role
• Armament configuration
• Handling characteristics and landing behavior

The Bf 109 E-4 represents early-war German fighter design, optimized for climb rate and acceleration.
The Spitfire Mk IX reflects mid-war Allied engineering, balancing speed, maneuverability and high-altitude capability.

Both aircraft are rare flying examples and offer a unique opportunity to compare two fundamentally different engineering philosophies – not as myths, but as machines.

Filmed at Hahnweide Airfield.
All technical data based on historical documentation and verified sources.

Bf 109 E-4
Messerschmitt 109 Red 12
Spitfire MH415
Spitfire Mk IX Merlin 66
DB 601 engine
WW2 fighter comparison
warbird technical comparison
Hahnweide airshow
Flying Legends