BFW M.22

Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke (BFW)

Industry	Aerospace
Founded	1927 (1927)
Headquarters	Germany
Key people	Willy Messerschmitt

The BFW M.22 was a medium bomber featuring twin engines, created by Willy Messerschmitt for Germany's Ministry of Transport. It represents one of only two biplane designs developed by Messerschmitt, both of which did not achieve success.

Development

In 1927, after the achievement of his M.18 airliner, Messerschmitt sought financial support from the Bavarian government. Since Bayerische Flugzeug-Werke (BFW) was already receiving subsidies from the government, they insisted on an agreement that would have Messerschmitt join BFW with the condition that the company manufacture exclusively his designs. During these discussions, finalized on 8 September 1927, the Ministry of Transport urged Messerschmitt to focus on military aircraft development. This directive resulted in the creation of the only two biplanes he ever designed, with the second being the BFW M.22 medium bomber, also known as the Messerschmitt M 22.

The M.22 was configured as a twin-engine biplane featuring wide-chord I-shaped interplane struts and equipped with ailerons on both wings. Its tail assembly was conventional, incorporating an externally braced tailplane. The upper wing was elevated above the fuselage by a streamlined pylon that separated the forward pilot and nose gunner compartments from a dorsal gunner station. The landing gear utilized a wide-track split-axle design with main wheels enclosed in spats and included a tailskid.

Power was supplied by two 500 hp (373 kW) Siemens-produced Bristol Jupiter radial engines, identified as Siemens-Halske Sh-20 or Sh-21. These engines were mounted midway between the wings inside elongated streamlined nacelles, with cylinder heads exposed for effective cooling.

The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 1928. Markedly different from Messerschmitt’s signature high-wing cantilever monoplanes such as the M.19 and M.20, the M.22 failed to secure any production contracts, resulting in only one unit being constructed.

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