Photo: Boschung Global
Even to this day, three quarters of a century after the end of the Second World War, the name Messerschmitt sends shivers down the spines of many. Aircraft wearing this name flew across the world’s battlefields, spreading fear and death from above.
Built as a fighter aircraft for the Luftwaffe, the ME 109 (officially, the Germans called it Bf 109) was one of the most advanced in the world when it first appeared in 1937. By the time it was officially retired in 1945, over 30,000 of them had been built in over 30 variants.
Although the official production of the airplane ended with the war, the Spanish continued to build it after the guns fell silent through Hispano Aviación. Their version of the 109 G was called Hispano HA-1112 Buchón, and replicated the German design.
The airplane in the gallery above is that Spanish variation of the Messerschmitt. Because it was built in 1957, it didn’t take part in any actual fighting during the war, but it did serve in the Spanish Air Force for ten years and saw action in the 1969 Battle of Britain movie.
Piloted by chief pilot Connie Edwards, the airplane was handed to him as payment after filming ended. It ended up in Texas, where it spent most of its life – nearly half a century – stored in a barn, unmoved and untouched. It 2017, it was shipped to the UK, where it entered a restoration program that gave it the current shine.
The Messerschmitt/Buchón is now for sale on a specialized website, complete with the original Battle of Britain movie paint scheme called Black Chevron, and a restored Rolls Royce Merlin engine that has been flown for just 5 hours since restoration.
The price has not been disclosed, but the posting reads the airplane would be supplied complete with a permit to fly on British civil registration.
Although the official production of the airplane ended with the war, the Spanish continued to build it after the guns fell silent through Hispano Aviación. Their version of the 109 G was called Hispano HA-1112 Buchón, and replicated the German design.
The airplane in the gallery above is that Spanish variation of the Messerschmitt. Because it was built in 1957, it didn’t take part in any actual fighting during the war, but it did serve in the Spanish Air Force for ten years and saw action in the 1969 Battle of Britain movie.
Piloted by chief pilot Connie Edwards, the airplane was handed to him as payment after filming ended. It ended up in Texas, where it spent most of its life – nearly half a century – stored in a barn, unmoved and untouched. It 2017, it was shipped to the UK, where it entered a restoration program that gave it the current shine.
The Messerschmitt/Buchón is now for sale on a specialized website, complete with the original Battle of Britain movie paint scheme called Black Chevron, and a restored Rolls Royce Merlin engine that has been flown for just 5 hours since restoration.
The price has not been disclosed, but the posting reads the airplane would be supplied complete with a permit to fly on British civil registration.
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