Was the Bf-109 "Zwilling" a different aircraft than the Bf-109 or just a variant like the "Emil" or "Gustav"?

Question

Was the Bf-109 "Zwilling" a different aircraft than the Bf-109 or just a variant like the "Emil" or "Gustav"?

Answer 1

The Bf-109z ZWILLING was a variant. It was a twin fuselage, single pilot, version of the legendary Messerschmitt fighter.

Two variants of this aircraft were proposed, one an interceptor armed with five 30 mm cannons, the other a fighter-bomber with a 1,000 kg bomb load. Only one prototype was built before WW II ended, and it was never flown, having been damaged in an Allied bombing raid while in hangar the project was permanently abandoned in 1944.

For an excellent web site including pictures please see:

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/AC/aircraft...

Answer 2

The Zwilling was basically 2x Bf 109F fuselages connected together.    The purpose was to create another Zerstoerer to replace the 110; which was approaching obsolescence.  With the success of the He111z glider tug-Gen Udet propsed this idea.  Though tests were promising, the project was abandoned.

The Germans never considered it a new make of fighter; unlike the US which gave a new P/F number to the twin Mustang (P82).  What is more, the second fuselage had no cockpit in the 109z model.

Speculation, but with 2x cockpits it could've made a decent nightfighter.