Fighter aircraft of Nazi Germany, second in importance only to the Messerschmitt 109 in the German air force in World War II. It began service in 1941, was superior to all its opponents until 1942–43, and remained a successful fighter and fighter-bomber until the war ended.
A single-seater, it was armed with four 7.9-mm machine guns; later versions also carried cannons. The model produced near the end of the war had a top speed of about 430 mph (690 kph).