RECOVERED: Messerschmitt Bf 109F-4

Wrk. Nmr. 10144 was built in 1942 in Leipzig, Germany. Records show that this aircraft was a Norwegian patrol aircraft which flew the Murmansk sector of Russia and was shot down in World War II by Russian forces. It was last flown by Fw. Albert Brunner, a 53 victory Ritterkrueztrager of 6./JG 5. It was marked Yellow 7 and lost on 05 September, 1942 reportedly after an airbattle. Brunner walked away from the crash and returned after 4 days. The aircraft remained where it came to rest in Northern Russia until it was recovered by Warbird Recovery in the winter of 1994. It took a Jet engine on the back of a truck to melt the remains out of the ice of the frozen lake where the aircraft was found. All remaining pieces were shipped to the Warbird Recovery facility in Broomfield, Colorado.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 aircraft was so successful that when production of the Bf 109 ceased in 1956, over 35,000 had been built. The performance of the Bf 109 was equal to the Spitfire and superior to the Hurricane. There is now only one flying original Bf 109 in the world.

Warbird Recovery has begun restoring this aircraft to original flying condition.

Crew-One

Construction-All metal stressed-skin

Engine-One 1,475hp Daimler-Benz DB605A liquid cooled inverted V12

Armament-One 20mm MG151 engine mounted cannon with 150 rounds Two 7.9mm MG17 fuselage mounted machine guns with 500 rounds per gun

Performance-Maximum speed 398mph (640kph)

Service ceiling 39,370 (12,000m)

Range 340 miles (540km)

Wingspan-32ft. 6 1/2 in.

Length-29ft 7 1/2in.

Height-8ft 2 1/2in.

Weight empty-5,687lb.

Weight loaded-6,834lb.