The UK's 70th anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Britain attracted an unusual visitor to the Royal International Air Tattoo: a rare Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter.
Owned by EADS, the aircraft is one of only a handful of the more than 34,000 Bf 109-class fighters produced which remain airworthy. Also known as "Red Seven", the aircraft was built in 1958 and served with the Spanish air force until 1965, before later taking a starring role in the 1969 film The Battle of Britain.
Now carrying Luftwaffe markings, the Bf 109 was due to mark the anniversary by flying in formation with two of the type's former adversaries: the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire.
Designed by Willy Messerschmitt, the aircraft is now piloted by EADS historic flight pilot Klaus Ecker. But 93-year-old Bf 109 fighter ace Maj Hans-Ekkehard Bob also climbed into the cockpit at RIAT.
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The Bf 109 is expected to visit Farnborough following its RIAT attendance.
Source: Flight Daily News
