Australia’s Messerschmitt Flies Again

Australia’s Messerschmitt flies again

The world’s only flyable Messerschmitt Bf 109G made its first major public appearance for 49 years on 2 May – and two Australians played a vital role in its preservation.

The 8f 109G “Gustav” wa”” captured by Wing Commander Bobby Gibbes and Wing Commander Ken McCrae at Gambut in Libya in 1942. Nearly a half century later they were both present at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, England when the 109 was rolled out.

The aircraft has been the subject of an extensive eight-year restoration program to return it to an airworthy standard. It was to have flown on the day and has already been test flown in the hands of Group Captain Reg Hallam. Unfortunately, a burnt exhaust valve kept the aircraft on the ground on the day of the rollout but spares were soon acquired and the aircraft flew several days later.

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