FORMER FOE FLIES IN TO FAIRFORD
AN ICON of the Luftwaffe flew in to the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford this afternoon ready to line up alongside former foes the Spitfire and Hurricane in the airshow's Battle of Britain commemorations.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109, one of the few airworthy survivors of the 34,000 aircraft produced in this class, touched down at the Gloucestershire airbase ready for the opening of the event on Saturday.
During the war the Bf 109 was famed for being swift and deadly in the air, but take-off and landing proved hazardous with many aircraft and crew lost due to the aircraft's lack of stability during ground movement.
This particular aircraft, 'Red Seven' was built in 1958, flying with the Spanish Air Force until 1965. Its next role was as a movie star, appearing in Guy Hamilton's 1969 film The Battle of Britain. After stays in the USA and France, the aircraft finally found a home in Germany in 1997, being restored to airworthiness by the Messerschmitt Air Company in Albstadt.
Red Seven was, unfortunately, badly damaged during a landing in 2005, after which it was sold to its present owner, German-based international aerospace company EADS, in 2007, who've had the aircraft restored to its present glory.
Air Tattoo Deputy Director of Air Operations Rob Windsor said: "We're delighted to welcome the Bf 109, which will be taking part in the commemorative flypast for the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain."
Richard Arquati, Head of Press & PR, said: "We're delighted to welcome 350 aircraft from as far afield as New Zealand to this year's Air Tattoo, including representatives from 32 air arms and 16 different countries. The event offers the chance to see a wonderful feast of flying, past and present, and tickets are still available."
The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust which, in turn, awards grants in support of the RAF family, including serving personnel and Air Cadets. Since it was established in January 2005, the Trustees have awarded over £1.3 million to a wide range of projects and initiatives.
Tickets for the show are still available from branches of Barclays Bank, Tourist Information Centres, Little Chef restaurants in Cirencester, Burford and Buckland (Faringdon), Londis in Fairford & Lechlade, Fairford Post Office, Thamesdown Transport at Swindon Bus Station, and First Great Western (when purchasing a combined Admission, Train and Bus Ticket). For further information please click here.