Messerschmitt Bf 109

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the quintessential fighter for the Third Reich throughout the Second World War. Clandestine German involvement in the Spanish Civil War allowed Bf 109 pilots to develop tactics and responses that training alone could not provide, laying the groundwork for the coming Blitzkrieg. The Spanish Civil War test bed also allowed engineers to make adjustments to the system, increasing its ability to kill and destroy even more.

By the time the Battle of Britain exploded onto worldwide headlines, the Bf 109 was already a highly feared opponent, matched in capability by only that of the Supermarine Spitfire. The Battle of Britain would pit the two awesome machines against one another, with the Spitfire eventually claiming the top prize. The Bf 109 continued on developing into a wide array of variants and subvariants. It is widely agreed that the "E" model was the definitive model of the series, combining lessons learned from models B, C, and D into one formidable package. Subsequently, the "G" model became the most produced and widely used of the series - to which over 36,000 were produced for the entire production line of all Bf109s. With Germany now fighting wars on multiple fronts, the extension of the Bf109 line increased into the Soviet Union. Overall, the Bf 109 was numerically superior to most fighters in any involvement at any one time - be it attacking incoming bomber formations or intercepting Soviet supply columns.

In the end, the Bf 109 would prove quite resilient and robust, so much so in fact, that the series would continue to be produced (in Spain under license as "Buchons") a full ten years after the war in Europe had concluded. Though the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 was the best German piston-engine aircraft of the war, the Bf 109 remains the most famous, thanks in part to the sheer number of aircraft produces and the total number of engagements involving Bf 109's. The aircraft series is credited with the destruction of more enemy aircraft than any other German fighter.

In post-war use, the Bf 109 would see continued use by Spain and Israel. Production would still be continued in Czechoslovakia through an intact Bf109 plant. Spanish Bf 109's would be fitted with Merlin engines and designated as the "Buchon" (transplated "pigeon") while the new nation of Israel would field them in combat during the early years. Total production of all Bf109 types is estimated to be at or over 35,000 examples with the last "new build" variant being flown in 1956.

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Last Revision: 6/25/2009