File:Messerschmitt Bf109G-6-Trop ‘10639 - Black 6’ (G-USTV) (16645835853).jpg

WkNo 10639. Built September 1942, coded ‘PQ+PJ’. By October it was operating with JG77 in Italy as ‘Black 6’. Discovered abandoned by advancing Allies in early November 1942. Carried out several local flights coded ‘CV-V’, then flew to Shandur in Egypt, via Palestine and Cairo. More flying then took place, including a trial dog-fight with a Spitfire. It returned to the UK during 1943 and flew again in February 1944, after transit damage was repaired, wearing the UK serial ‘RN228’. It was then operated by 1426 Enemy Aircraft Flight based at RAF Collyweston, for combat trials against Allied types and also carried out tours of British and American bases to demonstrate the type. The unit disbanded in January 1945 and on 27th March the aircraft flew to Tangmere, it’s last flight for 46 years. In 1946 it went in to store for the Air Historical Branch. By September 1960 it had arrived at RAF Wattisham and in 1962 an abortive attempt was made to rebuild the aircraft to fly. This actually only resulted in many original parts, including the instruments, being disposed of! It was reassembled and painted in a North Africa scheme as ‘White 14’ and then continued to live at Wattisham, although often appeared at Coltishall shows as well. In 1972 it was moved to RAF Lynham to begin a thorough restoration to airworthy condition. The project also passed through RAF Northolt before settling at RAF Benson. From there the first post-restoration flight took place on 17th March 1991. She then began an airshow career based at Duxford. I saw her flying on several occasions and at every event she absolutely stole the show! Her last planned show before permanent static display was at Duxford on 12th October 1997. Sadly, during the routine, the aircraft had to make an emergency landing during which it dug into a ploughed field and turned over. The pilot was thankfully uninjured but the aircraft suffered damage to the rear fuselage, tail and nose. After recovery, the airframe was rebuilt for static display by the same team that restored it to fly. She is now about 70% original and went on display at Hendon in 2002. From 2003 to 2012 she was in the Milestones Hall, but is currently on display near the B-17 in the Bomber Command Hall. RAF Museum, Hendon, London, UK