Messerschmitt 109 Cockpit Section

Here we have a life-size Messerschmitt B-f 1-O-9 cockpit replica – built here - specifically to be used in the film “Hurricane”.

This infamous German WW2 fighter aircraft first saw operational service in 1937 - during the Spanish Civil War. When it first appeared, it was one of the most advanced fighters - with an all metal skin construction, a closed canopy, and retractable landing gear. In 1939 - a Messerschmitt 1-O-9 took the world speed record to 480 miles per hour!

The design was created by Willy Messerschmitt - during the early to mid-1930s he worked at Bayerische Flugzeugwerke – hence the B-F notation. Although conceived as an interceptor - later models fulfilled roles as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, day, night, and all-weather fighter, ground-attack, and reconnaissance. It was known as the M-e 1-O-9 by Allied aircrew - and some German aces - even though this was not the official German designation. The B-f 1-O-9 is the most produced fighter aircraft in history, with over 33,900 produced - from 1936 to April 1945. The variants went through designation 1-O-9-A - through to 1-O-9-K – with the most being produced as the 1-O-9-G versions – between 1943 and 1944. In 1942, the Messerschmitt began to be partially replaced by a new German fighter, the Focke-Wulf Fw 1 90, but it continued to serve in a multitude of roles - and was also supplied to several of Germany's allies.

 

1-O-9’s were equipped with different armament arrangements - including wing machine guns and cannons – and a central cannon - mounted through the engine – which fired through the centre of the propeller. The increases in firepower were a reaction to the Germans learning of the Spitfire and Hurricane’s eight machine-gun armaments.

With experience during the Spanish Civil War - fought from 1936 to 1939 - the power of the 1-O-9’s engine was increased to such an extent that a three bladed variable pitch propeller was introduced - to replace the wooden two blade unit. Using the same science as explained with the Spitfires – a more powerful engine needed other modifications to utilise the engine power and increase speed.

 

The 18th December 1939 saw the first aerial combat of World War 2 for Britain - when 24 Wellington bombers headed to Germany. The bomber formation was intercepted by Messerschmitt 1-O-9s - and 14 were lost – to only two Messerschmitt’s.

 

In the Battle of Britain – in 1940 – it was the B-f 1-O-9-E which escorted the German bombers - heading for Britains factories and airfields. The 1-O-9-E is the aircraft famously witnessed by civilians - in dogfights - with Spitfires and Hurricaines – in the skies over Kent.  The Bf 109 was faster than the Spitfire at high altitude and could dive more rapidly – additionally - most Bf 109 pilots had more combat experience than their RAF counterparts. However, the Messerschmitt did not have the range to fly beyond London and carried only seven seconds worth of cannon ammunition, which limited its operational usefulness.

 

By the start of the Battle of Britain – Germany had over 1,200 B-f 1-O-9’s - compared to Britains 600 Spitfires and Hurricanes – along with about 100 other fighter types - which were no match for the 1-O-9 fighter capability. These odds – and against such a capable German fighter plane - are what makes the Battle of Britain a more amazing victory for Britain.

 

More aerial kills were made with the B-f 1-O-9 than any other aircraft of World War 2. The total number of aircraft shot down by the B-f 1-O-9 are unknown – but estimates are as many as 50,000. About 21,000 of these were against poorly trained - and badly organised Soviet forces - in 1941. 105 B-f 1-O-9 pilots were each credited with the destruction of 100 or more enemy aircraft. Thirteen of these men scored more than 200 kills, while two scored more than 300. Though no official "ace" status existed in the Luftwaffe - the term - “expert” was used for an experienced pilot - irrespective of his number of kills. Using the Allied definition of pilots who scored five or more kills – being classed as an “Ace”, more than 2,500 Luftwaffe fighter pilots would be considered “Aces” in World War 2.

Probably the most famous Luftwaffe pilot was Adolf Galland - ending the war with 104 "kills" - 58 by the end of the Battle of Britain. Galland's aggressive nature brought him into regular conflict with Head of the Luftwaffe - Hermann Goering. Most notoriously - during the Battle of Britain - when Goering - irritated by the Luftwaffe's inability to clinch air victory - asked Galland what more he needed to win - Galland replied - "A squadron of Spitfires!".

When two of Gallands opponents, Douglas Bader and Robert Stanford-Tuck, were brought to his Headquarters - after they had been shot down - he entertained them in the mess. Galland even allowed Bader to test the controls of a B-f 1-O-9 - albeit under armed guard – with pistol drawn. Galland became a long-standing friend of Stanford-Tuck - and they visited each other regularly after the war.

Another 1-O-9 expert was Werner Molders – who had a competition of “kills” with Galland - but ended up three behind him. Unlike Galland - who outlived the war until 1996 – Molders was killed in an air crash – in late 1941 - ironically as a passenger.

Now you have some idea of the Spitfire and Hurricanes greatest foes.