The Bf 109, which was designed by Willy Messerschmitt, first flew in 1935 powered by a 695hp (518kW) RR. Built in a large number of variants, it was to be the most numerous fighter produced during WW11 with around 35,000 eventually being built. At the beginning of World War 11 it was considered to be superior to any fighter excepting the Spitfire. The early production models were the Bf 109B/C and D (400* built) which saw action in Poland but were quickly replaced by the Bf 109E (4000+ built) which had entered production in 1938 powered by a 1175hp(876kW) Daimler-Benz. Examples of the Bf 109E were exported to Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovakia, Switzerland, Spain, Romania and Yugoslavia. Production of this model ended in 1942 and it was replaced by the Bf 109F (2200* built) which was powered by a 1350hp(1007kW) Daimler-Benz. This model was arguably the most potent of the Bf 109 series and saw extensive service during the invasion of the Soviet Union and during the North African campaigns.The Bf 109G had the more powerful Daimler-Benz engine installed in the Bf 109F’s airframe. The Bf 109K (750* Built) was the last major production model and it first flew in 1944 powered by a 2000hp(1491kW) Daimler-Benz. The type was built in Spain as the Hispano HA-1109 from 1945 and in Czechoslovakia as the Avia S-199. It is thought that only two Bf 109G’s have survived into the 21st. century in airworthy condition.

Registration unknown                             Germany

Single seat fighter first flown in 1944