
BNPS_MesserSpitRevealed_05.jpg


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Pic: NikColeman/PBS/BNPS
The unique 'Messer-Spit' combined the superior Daimler Benz fuel injected engine with the more manouverable Spitfire airframe.
Remarkable photos revealing how the Germans tried to create a super plane during WW2 by combining a captured Spitfire's frame with a Daimler Benz engine have been revealed.
A new documentary series called Plane Resurrection by PBS America historian Ian McLachlan reveals how the Nazi's stuck their impressive power plant from a Bf 109 fighter on the body of a captured Spitfire V b that had crash-landed on the occupied island of Jersey in November 1942.
It was piloted by German born Free French pilot Lt Bernard Scheidhauer, who had joined the RAF's 101 Sqn to fight against his homeland.
While the hybrid plane looked ungainly, it was actually found during testing to out perform both the German and British fighters.
However it was the only one ever made, mainly because there were not enough captured Spitfires available for the Germans to mass-produce.
After capture the unfortunate Scheidhauer was sent to Stalag Luft III, where he took part in the Great Escape, pairing up with its mastermind Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, after recapture they were notoriously murdered by the Gestapo.
Pic: NikColeman/PBS/BNPS
The unique 'Messer-Spit' combined the superior Daimler Benz fuel injected engine with the more manouverable Spitfire airframe.
Remarkable photos revealing how the Germans tried to create a super plane during WW2 by combining a captured Spitfire's frame with a Daimler Benz engine have been revealed.
A new documentary series called Plane Resurrection by PBS America historian Ian McLachlan reveals how the Nazi's stuck their impressive power plant from a Bf 109 fighter on the body of a captured Spitfire V b that had crash-landed on the occupied island of Jersey in November 1942.
It was piloted by German born Free French pilot Lt Bernard Scheidhauer, who had joined the RAF's 101 Sqn to fight against his homeland.
While the hybrid plane looked ungainly, it was actually found during testing to out perform both the German and British fighters.
However it was the only one ever made, mainly because there were not enough captured Spitfires available for the Germans to mass-produce.
After capture the unfortunate Scheidhauer was sent to Stalag Luft III, where he took part in the Great Escape, pairing up with its mastermind Squadron Leader Roger Bushell, after recapture they were notoriously murdered by the Gestapo.
©NikColeman/PBS/BNPS 16 Jan 2020 1992x1166 / 144.1KB