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File:Bf109 G10 1.jpgBf 109G-10 Black 2 + - displayed at the Messerschmitt Museum
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was a World War II fighter aircraft developed by Germany. It stood out as one of the earliest genuinely modern fighters of its time, featuring innovations such as an all-metal monocoque airframe, a fully enclosed cockpit canopy, and retractable landing gear. With 30,573 units produced during the war, it was the most widely manufactured fighter aircraft of World War II and remains the most produced fighter in history, totaling 33,984 by April 1945.
In 1942, Spain secured licensing agreements with Messerschmitt to manufacture the Bf 109G-2. The country received necessary tooling and jigs along with 25 incomplete fuselage and wing assemblies in preparation for production. However, due to Luftwaffe priorities, Messerschmitt could not supervise the establishment of Spain’s production line. Additionally, Hispano Aviación faced difficulties obtaining the Daimler-Benz DB 605 engines because of wartime shortages. Complete airframe production only began in 1947, equipped with the Hispano-Suiza 12Z-17 engine as a substitute for the DB 605A. These models were designated HA-1109-K1L, with 65 units produced. Later, in 1954, Hispano Aviación modified the design to accommodate the Rolls-Royce Merlin 500-45 engine, resulting in the HA-1112-M1L variant. Manufacture of the HA-1109 and HA-1112 Buchon series concluded in 1958; however, Spain continued operational use of the HA-1112 until late 1967.
Following World War II, Czechoslovakia resumed Messerschmitt production at the Avia factory (part of Škoda Works) in Prague using original jigs and tooling alongside numerous unfinished airframes. Between 1946 and 1949, approximately 550 aircraft were completed as Avia S-99s—similar to the Bf 109G-14—and Avia S-199s, which were fitted with Jumo engines but otherwise largely unchanged. A fire destroyed many DB 605 engines stored in a warehouse, forcing reliance on surplus Junkers Jumo 211 engines instead. The high torque from these substitute engines contributed to a significant accident rate among pilots. Production ceased in 1948, and the Czechoslovak National Security Guard retired its last S-199s by 1957.
Beyond Spain and Czechoslovakia, both Finland and Switzerland continued operating Bf 109s into the late 1950s. The newly established state of Israel acquired 25 Avia S-199s (23 delivered) after being embargoed from other sources; these aircraft were phased out by early 1949.
Most Bf 109s were dismantled or destroyed between 1945 and 1948. A limited number were preserved as trophies or technical specimens for study, representing the first generation of surviving Bf 109s over the next two decades.
In preparation for the film The Battle of Britain (1967), producers sought an extensive fleet of authentic aircraft for filming. As Spain began retiring its HA-1112 models, an agreement was arranged to utilize these planes. Simultaneously, the Commemorative Air Force had acquired several HA-1112s which were also leased for movie production. For over three decades thereafter, these Spanish-built Bf 109s featured prominently in numerous World War II aviation films and television series such as Hanover Street, Memphis Belle, The Tuskegee Airmen, and Piece of Cake.
Starting in late 1988, efforts began to recover crashed World War II aircraft remnants from Russia, including various Bf 109 examples. Additional early-model Bf 109 wrecks have been discovered in France and Italy, along with several unearthed in Germany where they had been buried. These aircraft with documented combat backgrounds form the basis for ongoing restoration projects, with more recoveries expected. As of December 2016, there are 67 known surviving Bf 109 airframes.
Approximately twenty of these extant Bf 109s served at some point with Luftwaffe fighter wing Jagdgeschwader 5, more than any other Axis military aviation unit during World War II.
Bf 109 G-6/U4 163824 bearing the markings NF + FY; original Luftwaffe unit unknown. This aircraft is part of the collection at the Australian War Memorial (AWM) in Canberra. It represents the last Bf 109 worldwide retaining its authentic wartime camouflage and insignia: a 1944 day-fighter paint scheme featuring variations due to in-service repairs (possibly including its Erla Haube canopy) and component replacements such as a substituted wing. After World War II, it was registered in the UK as G-SMIT. Historian Michael Nelmes notes that the AWM sold it for £100 in 1963 to a member of the Illawarra Flying Club based at Bankstown Airport in Sydney. Subsequently, collector Sid Marshall owned the plane and displayed it suspended from his private hangar’s ceiling. In 1979, an Australian proprietor attempted to export 163824 to British collector Doug Arnold for approximately AUD $10,000. However, this export was prohibited by Australian legislation, resulting in confiscation by Australian Customs and the aircraft’s return to AWM ownership. It has been reported that the seller temporarily covered the aircraft with a silver plastic film, allegedly to disguise it as a P-51 Mustang.Template:Sps
Stored or undergoing restoration
Bf 109 G-2 14798 marked GJ+QP, formerly from 8./JG 5 with the call sign "Black 10"; currently with Wayne Dawson in New South Wales.
Austria
Displayed
Bf 109 G-14 784993, formerly of IV./JG 53, identified as "White 13", exhibited at Aviaticum Wiener Neustadt.[1]
Belgium
Operational
HA-1112-M1L c/n 201 carrying the code C.4K-131 (registration OO-MAF), featured in the film Battle of Britain, previously held by the Victory Air Museum, known as White 1 Sabine, currently part of Eric Vormezeele Collection in Brasschaat.[2]
Brazil
File:Bf109G2.jpgBf 109 G-2 Yellow 14 displayed at the TAM Museum, Brazil
Displayed
Bf 109 G-2 with serial number 14256, nicknamed Yellow 14, on exhibit at the TAM Museum located in São Carlos.[3][4][5]
Bf 109 G-2 14743, previously RJ + SM, ex-Finnish Air Force MT-208, exhibited at the Finnish Aviation Museum near Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.[12]
Bf 109 G-6/U2 165227, formerly BV + UE, ex-Finnish AF MT-452 "Yellow 4", preserved at Suomen Ilmailumuseo, Utti.
Bf 109 G-6/Y 167271, ex VO + GI, previously Finnish AF MT-507 "Yellow 0", exhibited as Yellow 0 at the Central Finland Aviation Museum ((FAM)), Tikkakoski.[13][14]
In storage or undergoing restoration
Bf 109 E-3 3285, originally a Bf 109E-7 from 4./JG 5, known by markings "Black 12", "White 4", and "Yellow 2", held at the Finnish AF Museum in Tikkakoski.
France
Preserved or undergoing restoration
Bf 109 G-6 26129 formerly RV + IS, formerly II./JG 54 "Black 3", held by Aéronautique Provençale.
Germany
File:Messerschmitt Bf 109E.jpgBf 109 E-3 790File:Messerschmitt Bf109 Speyer.jpgBf 109 G-4 19310White 3 displayed at Technikmuseum SpeyerFile:FW-ME RIAT Bthebest.JPGD-FWME (red 7) made a forced landing in a cornfield on August 18, 2013, during an airshow at Roskilde Airport, Denmark. The pilot escaped injury, and the aircraft suffered minor damage including a fully broken propeller. Red 7 has since been restored to flying condition,[15][16] a Bf 109 G-4, seen at RIAT 2010.
Operational
Bf 109 E-4/N 1983 (D-FEML), previously Bf 109 E-7, formerly 5./JG 5 "Red 12", owned by Wolfgang Landschulze near Bonn, Bonn/Hangelar Airfield.
HA-1112-M1L c/n 139 C4K-75 (D-FWME), featured in Battle of Britain as "Yellow 11", Red 7 + -, operated by Messerschmitt Air Company. Experienced a belly landing in a cornfield on August 18, 2013, during an airshow at Roskilde Airport, Denmark. The pilot was unharmed and the aircraft sustained only minor damage including a completely broken propeller. Fitted with a DB605 engine.[17][18]
HA-1112-M1L c/n 156 C.4K-87 (D-FMBB), marked FM+BB, owned by EADS / Messerschmitt Foundation, restored with DB605 powerplant.[19]
HA-1112-M1L c/n 234 C.4K-169 (D-FMGZ), known as Yellow 27, part of Hangar 10 Air Fighter Collection GmbH. Converted back to Bf 109 G-12 (two-seat trainer) specification with DB605 engine.
Bf 109 E-1 790 - the oldest surviving combat-used Me 109 - ex-J/88/2 (Condor Legion) "6-106", later Bf 109 E-3, ex-Spanish Air Force "C4E-106", held at the Deutsches Museum, Munich.[23][24][25][26]
Bf 109 G-4 19310, formerly BH + XN, 4./JG52 "White 3" nicknamed "Nesthäkchen" - crashed March 20,1943; exhibited as White 3 at Technikmuseum Speyer.[28][29]
HA-1109-K1L C.4J model, marked as <<< Yellow 4, displayed at Luftwaffen Museum Gatow; rebuilt to resemble a Bf 109G-2 powered by DB605.[30]
HA-1109-K1L c/n54 C.4J, exhibited at the Messerschmitt Museum in Manching.
HA-1112-M1L c/n194 C.4K-134, featured in Battle of Britain, previously with Victory Air Museum, currently on limited exhibition at Wittmundhafen AB; painted as Black12, restored with DB605 engine.
HA-1112-M1L c/n228 C.4K-170 (N170BG), appeared in Battle of Britain as "Yellow <", also in Patton portraying a P-51B "743652", marked as Yellow4 + -, displayed at Auto und Technik Museum Sinsheim; fitted with DB605 engine.[31][32]
HA-1112-M1L c/n213 C.4K–1?? (D-FEHD), painted as Black15, part of the Messerschmitt Foundation collection.[33]
In storage or restoration
Bf 109B/V10a 1010 (D–IAKO), located in Oberschleißheim near Munich — recognized as the sole surviving prototype airframe of the Bf 109 series.
Bf 109 F–2 8993, previously GC + KQ, from 2./JG 3, later Bf 109F–4 with Jagdgeschwader 54 marking "White 2", and then Jagdgeschwader 5 insignia "Yellow 3" flown by Obgfr. Eugen Britz; crashed on April 3, 1943, marked as Yellow 3. [34]
Bf 109 G–2 13605 (G-JIMP), registered to Mark R. Oliver in Altrincham, UK; carries the marking Yellow 12. [35]
Bf 109 G–10 with unknown Werknummer (D-FDME), painted as Black 2 + -, held by EADS / Messerschmitt Foundation. This airframe is widely believed to be an HA–1112–M1L modified to represent a Bf 109 G–10 and has been repainted as Yellow 3 + -.
S-199 782358, formerly of the Israel Air Force, marked D 112, displayed at the Israeli Air Force Museum located at Hatzerim Air Force Base.
Netherlands
Exhibited
Bf 109 G-5 15343, formerly assigned to 5./JG 53 bearing the designation "Black 11", exhibited at Vliegend Museum Seppe, Breda Airport.
Bf 109 G-6 15678, previously part of 9./JG 54 with the code "Brown 7", crashed in July 1943; only the fuselage is preserved and displayed at the Atlantic Wall Museum.
New Zealand
In storage or undergoing restoration
Bf 109 G, specific variant and Werknummer currently unidentified. Thought to have been imported from Australia for a private individual aiming to restore it to flying condition.
Bf 109 E-7 3579 (registration G-CIPB), formerly of JG 2 "White 14" and previously Bf 109E-7 4/JG 5 "White 7". This aircraft crashed on 2 August 1942 and is now housed in the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, Biggin Hill. It was first flown again after restoration on 13 June 2017.[41][42]
HA-1112-M1L (G-AWHH), featured in the film Battle of Britain as "White 9", maintained by Anglia Aircraft Restorations at Sywell/Duxford.[43]
HA-1112-M1L chassis number 67 C.4K-31 (G-AWHE), portrayed as "Red 8" and Yellow 14 in the Battle of Britain, operated by Air Leasing at Sywell.[44][45]
HA-1112-M1L chassis number 172 C.4K-102 (G-AWHK), used in the film Battle of Britain as "Red 7" and Yellow 10, preserved by the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford, Cambridgeshire.[46]
HA-1112-M4L serial number 40/2 (G-AWHC), featured as "Red 11" in Battle of Britain, maintained by Air Leasing at Sywell. This aircraft has been restored to a two-seat Bf 109 G-12 trainer configuration.[47]
Exhibited
Bf 109 E-3 1190, formerly Bf 109E-4/N, from 4./JG 26 with marking "White 4", displayed as White 4.[48][49][50]
Bf 109 E-3 4101, previously GH + DX, from 6./JG52 marked "Yellow 8", later ex-2/JG51 "Black 12", ex-Royal Air Force DG200, and member of No. 1426 Flight RAF ("Rafwaffe"). This aircraft was used in the Battle of Britain movie and is now exhibited as Black 12 at the RAF Museum Hendon.[51][52][53][54]
Bf 109 G-2 trop 10639 (registration G-USTV), ex-PG + QJ, from III./JG77 "Black 6", later with 3 Squadron RAAF as "CV-V", also served with RAF RN228 No.1426 Flight (Enemy Aircraft). Displayed as Black 6 at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford.[55] This aircraft remained the only operational example worldwide until it flipped on landing due to engine failure on October 12, 1997. Pilot Sir John Allison escaped unharmed. The plane was recovered and restored for static exhibition.File:Bf 109 G-2 trop RAF Museum London.jpgBf 109 G-2 trop 10639Black 6 at RAF Museum - Hendon
Bf 109 E-1 696, previously with J/88/1 of the Condor Legion ("6-88"), piloted by Hptm Siebelt Reents, later Spanish AF C5-88 and C4E-88, owned by Robs Lamplough in Hungerford.[56]
Bf 109 E-1 854, held by Charleston Aviation Services.
Bf 109 E-3 4034 (registration G-CDTI), formerly with 1./JG77 and 8./JG53 marked "Black 5" and "Black 6". Crashed on February 11, 1940; currently with Rare Aero Ltd in Jersey.[57] This aircraft was reportedly gifted to the Nizam of Hyderabad by the RAF but vanished mysteriously from India in 2002.[58] Rare Aero confirmed it legally acquired the plane.[59]
Bf 109 F-4 7485, from 9./JG5 marked "Black 1", held by Charleston Aviation Services.
Bf 109 F‑4 8347, previously with 6./JG54 bearing "Yellow 10", also under Charleston Aviation Services.
Bf 109 E-3 1342 (N342FH), formerly 6./JG 51 "Yellow 8" (Pilot: Eduard Hemmerling) – crashed on 29 July 1940 with the designation Yellow 8. Currently part of the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett, Washington.[60]
Bf 109 G-4 19257 (N109GY), marked as Black <1, operated by Training Services Inc at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[61]
Bf 109 G-6 410077 (NX42109), previously RK + FY, ex-IV./JG 54 "<+". Restored to flying condition by Midwest Aero Restorations for Dr. Bruce Winter,[62] with its DB 605 engine refurbished by Vintage Aero Engines.
HA-1112-M1L c/n 193 C.4K-130 (N90602), featured in the film Battle of Britain as "<", housed at Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon. Modified to fly with a lowered Allison V-1710 engine and outfitted with an authentic Bf 109 G-10 cowling and redesigned tail section.
HA-1112-M1L c/n 220 C.4K-152 (N109TS), portrayed "White 5" in Battle of Britain, owned by Condor, LLC., located in St Augustine, Florida.
Bf 109 E-7 5975, previously assigned to ex-6./JG 5 "Yellow 4", shot down on 10 May 1942, exhibited at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, Savannah, Georgia.[64]
Bf 109 G-6 trop 160756, formerly KT + LL, from ex-3./JG 4 "Yellow 4", later USAAF FE-496 "White 2", preserved at the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C.[65][66][67]
Bf 109 G-10 610824 (N109MS), ex-II./JG 52 "Black 2", previously USAAF FE-124 T2-124 "Blue 4", shown at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.[68] Features an Erla Haube reduced-frame canopy and a taller wooden vertical fin/rudder assembly.[69][70]
Bf 109 G-14 610937 (N109EV), formerly a Bf 109 G-10/U-4 from Bulgarian and Yugoslavian Air Forces, bearing markings "44" from the 172 Group / 83rd SQ "Green <<". Previously exhibited at Evergreen Aviation Museum, McMinnville, Oregon;[71] now displayed at the American Heritage Museum, Stow, Massachusetts.[72]
Bf 109 G-10/U4 611943, once part of II./JG 52 "Yellow 13", later USAAF FE-122 T2-122 "Yellow 13", on display at Planes of Fame in Valle, Arizona.[73][74]
HA-1112-M1L c/n133 C.4K-64 (N109FF), ex-USAFM " <<+- ", exhibited at the Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Equipped with a DB605 engine and restored to resemble a Bf 109 G-2.
HA-1112-M1L c/n186 C.4K–122 (N109J), appeared as "Yellow 7" in Battle of Britain and held at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington; rebuilt to resemble a Bf 109E with a DB601 engine.[76][77]
HA–1112-M1L c/n199 C.4K–127 (N109BF), portrayed Hurricane "MI-S" in Battle of Britain, formerly part of Edwards Collection as "Yellow 1 + <- ", currently housed at EAA Aviation Museum, Oshkosh Wisconsin.[78]
In storage or undergoing restoration
Bf 109 E–3 2023, originally ex-Bf 109E–7 with unit ex–8./JG 5 and pilot Ofw. Walter Sommer; crashed on May 27, 1943; currently held by Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia.[79]
Bf 109 F–4 8461, formerly assigned to ex–5./JG 27; owned by Malcolm Laing.[80]
Bf 109 F–4 10144, previously with ex–6./JG 5 "Yellow 7" flown by Fw. Albert Brunner; stored with Air Assets International in Lafayette, Colorado.
Bf 109 G–2 10394, from ex–6./JG 5 "Yellow 2", piloted by Fw. Erwin Fahldieck before crashing on April 29, 1943; under ownership of Malcolm Laing in Texas.
Bf 109 G–2 13500, formerly II./JG unit marked "Red 4".
Bf 109 F–4 10212, associated with JG 5; held by Air Assets International in Lafayette, Colorado.
Bf 109 F–4 10256, ex–11./JG 5 "<", flown by Fw. Horst Carganico before crashing on July 22, 1942; owned by Mickael R., Framingham, Massachusetts.
Bf 109 F–4 10270, also linked to JG 5 "<"; possessed by Mickael R., Framingham, Massachusetts.
Bf 109 F–4 10276, another JG 5 airframe; held by Air Assets International in Lafayette, Colorado.
Bf 109 G–2 13927, from ex–6./JG 5 unit marked "Yellow 6".
HA–1112-M1L c/n unknown C.4K–30, associated with squadron “471” as “471–26”, featured in Battle of Britain; part of Edwards Collection owned by Wilson Edwards in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n120 C.4K–77 (N700E), marked as “Yellow 3”, housed at Planes of Fame in Chino, California; undergoing restoration for flight using Merlin 228 engine and modified to resemble a Bf 109G-style cowling.
HA–1112-M1L c/n129 C.4K–61 (G-AWHE), appeared in Battle of Britain; part of Edwards Collection under Wilson Edwards’ care in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n137 C.4K–116 (N6109), located in Quantico, Virginia.
HA–1112-M1L c/n145 C.4K–105 (N6036), portrayed “Red 4” in Battle of Britain; formerly part of Edwards Collection owned by Richard Hansen in Batavia Illinois.
HA–1112-M1L c/n unknown C.4K–111, linked to squadron “471” as “471–15”, seen in Battle of Britain; maintained within Edwards Collection under Wilson Edwards’ ownership in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n166 C.4K–106 (N90607), featured as “Yellow 8” in Battle of Britain; part of Edwards Collection managed by Wilson Edwards in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n187 C.4K–99 (N90604), ex-squadron “7” marked “7–77”, depicted as “Yellow 5” in Battle of Britain; held within Edwards Collection under Wilson Edwards’ stewardship in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n190 C.4K–126 (N90603), shown as “Red 9” in Battle of Britain; part of Edwards Collection managed by Wilson Edwards located in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n195 C.4K–135, appeared in Battle of Britain; previously held by Victory Air Museum in St Louis, Missouri.
HA–1112-M1L c/n223 C.4K–154, seen in Battle of Britain; maintained within Edwards Collection under Wilson Edwards’ care located in Big Spring, Texas.
HA–1112-M1L c/n178 C.4K−178, featured in Battle of Britain; formerly part of Victory Air Museum and The 1941 Historical Aircraft Group based in Geneseo, New York; rebuilt with DB601N engine.
HA−1112−M4L c/n unknown ‘’C.4K−112’’, accepted into Spanish AF service assigned to squadrons: ‘’7 Sqd’’ (“7 − 92”) and ‘’40 Sqd’’ (“40 − 2”); appeared as ‘’Red 11’’ in the original ‘’1969 Battle Of Britain’’ film; sold to Wilson Edwards in ‘’1970’’ and currently stored within his collection marked ‘’Red 11’’ located at Big Spring, Texas.
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