Best Of The Web: Duxford’s Unique Bf 109

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Key Takeaways:

  • A Messerschmitt Bf 109 was forced down in England during the Battle of Britain, landing gear-up and remaining remarkably intact.
  • This captured German aircraft subsequently toured both the U.K. and U.S. to raise funds for the Allied war effort.
  • It is now displayed at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, largely in its original found condition, complete with a damaged propeller and original paint.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY_AUdtvhY8

Great Britain’s Imperial War Museum at Duxford has one of the best collections of World War II aircraft to be found anywhere and the staff is good at the kind of outreach videos we’re featuring this week. This video explains the fascinating tale of a Messerschmitt Bf 109 forced down in England during the Battle of Britain in 1940. The pilot landed the aircraft gear-up and it remained remarkably intact. It later toured both the U.K. and the U.S. to raise money for the war effort. At Duxford, it’s on display almost as it was found, with a pretzeled prop and even some of the original paint.

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