Messerschmitt Bf-109
If you were to think of an iconic German aircraft from the second World War, you are most likely to see an image of the Messerschmitt 109 in your head. This aircraft was one of the most widely used and produced of the Luftwaffe. Its first taste of combat came during the Spanish Civil War, in 1936, and stayed in service up until 1965 under the Spanish Airforce. Its most notable use was during World War II, fighting for the 3rd Reich from 1939 to 1945.
The Bf-109, also commonly known as the Me-109, was one of very few aircraft that remained in service throughout World War II and was still able to hold its own against the ever more advanced allied aircraft. The aircraft has over 100 variants created during its time in service and has been licensed for use by multiple countries. Originally created in 1934 by the German air ministry to be the first modern monoplane designed to fly for the Luftwaffe, the Me-108 influenced the many new features that would soon become common in most modern aircraft, including a retractable undercarriage, a closed cockpit, and low monoplane wings. The RLM then created the 109 based off of these characteristics, and they designed it to fit the most powerful engine in the smallest frame possible, thus giving it impressive speed and maneuverability. Originally the aircraft was fitted with the Junkers Jumo 210A inline engine, a newer engine still in development. When tested in trials, it came out ahead of all competition from other aircraft companies such as Focke-Wulf, Heinkel, and Arado. The first version of the 109 to see combat was the Bf-109B, fighting for the Condor legion with nationalist Spain in the Spanish Civil War, 1937. The aircraft proved itself to be far better than its competition in the skies over Spain.
The next versions of the 109 were able to improve the design from combat experience with the Bf-109C and the Bf-109D, which came equipped with a brand new and more powerful Daimler Benz DB600A inline engine. These versions paved the way for the most iconic variants of the 109, the Bf-109E series. The 109E’s used the DB601 engine with 1,050 horsepower and took a new weapon armament of 2 nose mounted machine guns and 2 wing mounted 20mm cannons. This version gained its fame in 1939 with the invasion of Poland and the Battle of Britain in 1940. Before it reached Britain, it saw very few aircraft that could stand up to the 109 in the skies, with the French D.520 being the closest to presenting a threat. During the Battle of Britain is when the Luftwaffe finally went against the RAF over the English Channel; the 109 primarily faced aircraft such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire. The latter being a rivalry that would last until the end of the war.
The Bf-109 played a major impact in nearly all German campaigns during World War II; it became a feared and respected opponent to all who fought it. It proved highly adaptable and capable of playing multiple roles during the war, from interceptor to fighter-bomber. The aircraft was capable of easily switching armaments as well, being able to carry bombs, rockets, or gun pods or drop tanks depending on the mission. After World War II ended, the fighter was still such a capable multirole aircraft that it stayed in service until 1965 in Spain. The legacy of the Bf-109 will live on for many years to come, with many still surviving today. It may not be as capable now as it was back more than half a century ago, but it still commands respect for its major role in history. 
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