Conceptually, the Bf-109 was essentially the smallest airframe that Willy Messerschmitt could devise attached to the most powerful engine, the Daimler-Benz DB 600 series -- a liquid cooled, inverted V-12 engine. Originally conceived as a fighter, later models were developed to fulfill multiple tasks, like fighter-bomber and bomber escort. A key aircraft of the Luftwaffe, the Hungarian air force acquired roughly 200 highly prized Me-109's during 1941-1944, many of them manufactured domestically, as the unit shown above in an original color photo.

Messerschmitt Me-109 Fighter Plane in Hungary

During 1942-1943, the Luftwaffe agreed to rearm the Hungarian fighter units on the Eastern front with Bf-109's, including G models. Under a Luftwaffe organizational umbrella, these units engaged mainly in fighter-bomber and strafing attacks, like in the Battle of Kursk.  By late 1943, the RHAF began to equip fighter squadrons in the Home Air Defense with Bf 109s. The Hungarian MAVAG factory at Győr produced many of these planes under license. During 'The American Season', between May and August 1944, the so-called Puma fighter group had claimed 15 P-51s, 33 P-38s and 56 four-engine bombers. Hungarian losses were high too: 18 fighter pilots lost their lives. In March, 1945, eight Puma Me-109's attacked 26 Soviet aircraft south of Lake Balaton and shot down five without a single loss. The last 109 was burned by its crew in Austria at war's end.

Hungarian Me-109 Prepared for Takeoff

About 2900 of this remarkable German STOL aircraft was built, serving well in many unique situation, as in the case of Skorzeny's  rescue mission  of Mussolini in 1943. The RHAF purchased about 36 of these units, employed in liaison roles and for taxiing top brass around the front, as in case of General Jany, the commander of the Hungarian Second Army. It also served well during the siege of the encircled  Budapest. Here it is shown on a snow-covered field, probably at the Eastern front.