Messerschmitt M 24

The Messerschmitt M 24, otherwise known as the BFW M.24, was an airliner developed in Germany in the late 1920s^[1] as a further development in the series of designs produced by Messerschmitt, based on the M 18.^[2] Like the M 18 and its follow-on, the M 20, it was a high-wing cantilever monoplane with a fully enclosed cabin and fixed tailwheel undercarriage. It was slightly smaller than the M 20, seating only eight passengers instead of the ten that could be carried by the previous aircraft.^[2]

M 24
Role	Airliner
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW)
Designer	Willy Messerschmitt
First flight	1929
Number built	4
Developed from	Messerschmitt M 18, Messerschmitt M 20

Two prototypes were initially built with BMW and Junkers inline engines, followed by two more with BMW-built Pratt & Whitney radials. However, Messerschmitt proved unable to sell the design, possibly due at least in part to the enmity of Deutsche Luft Hansa director Erhard Milch towards Messerschmitt.^[3]

The first M 24a (Junkers-engined, registered D-1767) was used commercially from 1930 by Nordbayerische Verkersflug on the Dresden-Chemnitz-Plauen-Nuremberg route, until it was lost in 1934.^[4]

Variants

• M 24a - prototypes with BMW Va and Junkers L5G engines (two built)
• M 24b - prototypes with BMW-built Pratt & Whitney Hornet engines (two built)

Specifications (M 24b)

General characteristics

• Crew: two
• Capacity: eight passengers
• Length: 12.80 m (42 ft 0 in)
• Wingspan: 20.60 m (27 ft 7 in)
• Height: 4.20 m (13 ft 9 in)
• Wing area: 43 m² (462 sq ft)
• Empty weight: 1,480 kg (3,260 lb)
• Gross weight: 3,000 kg (6,600 lb)
• Powerplant: 1 × BMW-built Pratt & Whitney Hornet , 447 kW (600 hp)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 220 km/h (140 mph, 120 kn)
• Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
• Service ceiling: 5,500 m (18,000 ft)

Notes

1. Taylor 1989, 651
2. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, 2459
3. Szegeti 1998, 74
4. Smith 1971 p.27

References

• Smith, J Richard (1971). Messerschmitt an aircraft album. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0224-X.
• Szigeti, Marton (July 1998). "Messerschmitt History: Civil Projects". Flug Revue. Archived from the original on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
• Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. ISBN 0-7106-0710-5.
• The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.