FEATURED ARTIFACTS: BRITISH SPITFIRE AND GERMAN BF-109

When the British Spitfire and German BF-109 were developed in the mid-1930s, they were the most advanced fighter aircraft designs ever conceived. In 1945, 10 years after these planes flew for the first time, both were still in front-line service and remained formidable opponents to newly designed fighters. Both the Spitfire and BF-109 went on to see action after World War II in Israel’s War of Independence (1947 – 1949).

Photo(s) Courtesy of the National Archives