The Messerschmitt 108 Taifun was developed in 1934 for the European Touring flight. In 1936 the prototypes were used to create the series version Bf 108 B-1, which, due to its numerous innovations, represented a milestone in the evolution of sport and touring aircraft and is still today the model for many modern aircraft in this class. Willy Messerschmitt had been known as the designer of numerous innovative and famous aircraft since 1927. The numerous exports abroad, which made the name “Taifun” known around the world, were important for the sales success of the “Taifun”. The mostly successful participation in air races and touring flights contributed to the legendary reputation of the “Taifun” to this day.
Production from 1936 in the aircraft factories in Augsburg, Regensburg and Les Mureaux in France is described in detail. The main customer, especially from 1939 onwards, was the German Air Force. As a non-war aircraft, production was relocated to France in 1942. After the liberation of France, production continued under the name Nord 1000/1001/1002 “Pingouin”. The last aircraft of this type, which was also very popular with the French Air Force, rolled off the production lines in 1951. In France, the Nord 1100/1101 “Noralpha” with nose wheel landing gear was built from 1946 to 1948 according to German plans.
Even today, the “Taifun” is a welcome but rare guest at many classic aircraft meetings and events. The few surviving original “Taifun” are presented as well as the numerous French replicas that still exist. Numerous colored profile drawings for all built variants were made by the illustrator Herbert Ringlstetter, who is known from many publications. All images used were digitally processed and revised by Rolf Schneider.
