Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in DC. Discover our exhibitions and participate in programs both in person or virtually. Your support will help fund exhibitions, educational programming, and preservation efforts. Willy Messerschmitt's famous Bf series of single-seat fighter airplanes was produced in larger quantities than any other combat airplane in history except the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 Sturmovik.
The first prototype Bf flew in September , powered by a Rolls Royce Kestrel hp engine because suitable German aircraft engines were not yet available-engine development had been hindered by the Versailles Treaty.
Follow-on prototypes of the Bf used several other engines until Messerschmitt and the Air Ministry settled on the Daimler-Benz DB series inverted-V, liquid-cooled engine.
The firm was renamed Messerschmitt AG in July but many official German publications continued to refer to the airplane as the 'Bf The new fighter's first public demonstration took place at the Olympic Games held in Berlin, but the airplane's first real impact on the aviation world came during the international flying meet held in Zurich in the summer of Five Bf s took part and demonstrated outstanding climbing, diving, and maneuverability, along with exceptional speed.
As these impressive demonstrations were taking place, the Luftwaffe was delivering twenty-four ' fighters to Spain for the Condor Legion. By the time England declared war on Germany, German pilots had battle-tested the ' in aerial combat and Messerschmitt AG was busily mass-producing the 'E' model. Supermarine's Spitfire was the first aircraft to seriously challenge the Luftwaffe fighter. The Spitfire was slightly faster and definitely more maneuverable, but its performance at altitude was inferior.
