Messerschmitt BF-109 E-7 “White 14”

Pete Kynsey was the pilot.

It was fantastic news to see. Although the aircraft was of course originally restored by Craig Charleston in the UK, it never got a chance to fly in the UK before it was shipped to California where it was operated there by David Price until it was sold to Ed Russell in Canada. With Ed Russell, the aircraft was routinely operated up until 2010 (last time it had flown), at which point I believe the engine’s TBO was maxed-out. This flight was the first time it has flown over the UK since September 2, 1940, as it was on that date that Marseilles was flying this aircraft (with I/JG-2), and following action over the Thames Estuary, in which he is credited with shooting down a Spitfire, he had to make a forced-landing at Calais-Marck due to combat damage to his own aircraft. The aircraft would be repaired in Germany but then saw service on the Russian front until it was shot down and abandoned in August 1942 (as I recall, the aircraft was originally manufactured as a Bf-109E-1, but by the time of the Battle of Britain was upgraded to E-4 standard, and then following repairs in Germany was upgraded to E-7 standard before it reached the Eastern front – today, you see references to this aircraft being both an E-4 and an E-7).

As to who flew it – my first guess would be John Romain, as he has actually flown this aircraft before, back when it was owned by Ed Russell, and did the test flying when Russell purchased it (JR also wrote an excellent pilot report on flying this very aircraft) and of course John Romain is current in 109 airframes (he also just recently test-flew the Erickson Aircraft Collection Bf-109G-10). My second guess would be Charlie Brown, who is also current in 109’s, having recently test flown the Hangar10 Bf-109G-12. Granted, it is said that the Bf-109E is a more docile, less worrisome airplane to fly than those later versions.

Who drove?

Lovely! I’ve waited a long time to see an Emil fly. Remember seeing it in the workshop under restoration years ago, and being gutted when it left our shores. I really can’t wait to see and hear it.

How was the Hans Joachim Marseille connection proven? Just curious.

Best regards;
Steve
Steve

Que sound of the scramble bell…..;)

Looks like the MkI Spits will be busy 🙂

A pic, you say? How about this?

Fantastic news for the UK scene!

Fabulous :eagerness:

Anyone know who was flying it…?

CB….?

Thanks, nice to hear the growl of a Daimler-Benz again. Hopefully see it somewhere on the airshow circuit this summer.

It certainly has, the Biggin Hill heritage hangar posted a short clip on facebook of it taking off.

VIDEO

https://www.facebook.com/BigginHillHeritageHangar/videos/1281053225335748/?ref=notif&notif_t=notify_me_page&notif_id=1497363944972044