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By far the most-produced fighter ever (over 33,000 estimated), the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the primary fighter of the German Luftwaffe during World War II. At the time of its first flight in May 1935, it was the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. Small, agile, and well-armed, it proved a serious weapon in the hands of an experienced pilot. The design was amenable to continuous development and improvement, accommodating ever more powerful engines and weaponry and allowing it to maintain its frontline role throughout the war. It soldiered on in various other air forces around the world until the mid-1950s. Perhaps the most noteworthy of the many versions of the Bf 109 was the E model or "Emil," which ruled the skies over Europe from 1939 until mid-1940 when it first encountered the Supermarine Spitfire.
The Museum's 109 is a hybrid originating as a Spanish-built Hispano HA 1112. It was acquired from the Spanish Air Force by a private owner in the United Kingdom in 1966. Registered as G-AWHL, it appeared in several movies in the late-1960s, including Patton and Battle of Britain. It was later displayed at several locations in West Germany before it was acquired by Doug Champlin in 1973.
Champlin commissioned Art Williams in West Germany to reconfigure the 109 as closely as possible to an Emil. Modifications included installation of a DB-605 engine (an authentic DB-601 was not available) with associated cowling, revised wingtips, and other related items. The aircraft's cowling and engine are most likely from Bf 109E J392, the initial Dornier-Swiss-built aircraft delivered in 1945.
Currently, the Bf 109E is displayed in the Battle of Britain colors of the noted Luftwaffe ace Hans "Assi" Hahn.
By far the most-produced fighter ever (over 33,000 estimated), the Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the primary fighter of the German Luftwaffe during World War II. At the time of its first flight in May 1935, it was the world's most advanced fighter aircraft. Small, agile, and well-armed, it proved a serious weapon in the hands of an experienced pilot. The design was amenable to continuous development and improvement, accommodating ever more powerful engines and weaponry and allowing it to maintain its frontline role throughout the war. It soldiered on in various other air forces around the world until the mid-1950s. Perhaps the most noteworthy of the many versions of the Bf 109 was the E model or "Emil," which ruled the skies over Europe from 1939 until mid-1940 when it first encountered the Supermarine Spitfire.
The Museum's 109 is a hybrid originating as a Spanish-built Hispano HA 1112. It was acquired from the Spanish Air Force by a private owner in the United Kingdom in 1966. Registered as G-AWHL, it appeared in several movies in the late-1960s, including Patton and Battle of Britain. It was later displayed at several locations in West Germany before it was acquired by Doug Champlin in 1973.
Champlin commissioned Art Williams in West Germany to reconfigure the 109 as closely as possible to an Emil. Modifications included installation of a DB-605 engine (an authentic DB-601 was not available) with associated cowling, revised wingtips, and other related items. The aircraft's cowling and engine are most likely from Bf 109E J392, the initial Dornier-Swiss-built aircraft delivered in 1945.
Currently, the Bf 109E is displayed in the Battle of Britain colors of the noted Luftwaffe ace Hans "Assi" Hahn.
