Seldom does an RAF station in the UK become synonymous with a Luftwaffe aircraft: in the picture Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 10639/G-USTV makes its first post-restoration flight from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire on March 17, 1991. Inset, Leutnant Heinz Ludemann, who flew 10639 in combat against P-40s in North Africa in November 1942 just before the aircraft was captured.

G-USTV’s DB 605A engine Benson in early 1988 after overhaul by Rolls-Royce.

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 10639 “schwarze 6” at Gambut, Libya, in November 1942, shortly after its capture by advancing personnel of 3 Sqn RAAF. The camouflage and markings seen here have been faithfully reproduced on the aircraft now that its restoration is complete.
After it was brought to the UK the Bf 109 was seen on occasional static display in a number of spurious paint schemes such as that at right, at Wattisham in the early Sixties.

The Bf 109 wearing roundels and the personal codes, CV-V, of Sqn Ldr Bob Gibbes, the CO of No 3 Sqn RAAF. Gibbes wanted to take the aircraft to Australia, but it was diverted to the UK, and given the RAF serial RN228.

The aircraft's MG 151/20 cannon and one of its MG 17 machine-guns.

The Bf 109 wearing roundels and the personal codes, CV-V, of Sqn Ldr Bob Gibbes, the CO of No 3 Sqn RAAF. Gibbes wanted to take the aircraft to Australia, but it was diverted to the UK, and given the RAF serial RN228.

Resplendent in its newly-applied colour scheme, G-USTV undergoes an engine run on April 27, 1991. Unfortunately a chipped exhaust valve, discovered after problems were encountered during the run, prevented the aircraft from flying at its official rollout on May 2.

The genuine article: one of the Bf 109’s identification plates.

After it was brought to the UK the Bf 109 was seen on occasional static display in a number of spurious paint schemes such as that at right, at Wattisham in the early Sixties.

An earlier engine run at Benson, with G-USTV still in primer paint.

A new instrument panel was provided by Flight Refuelling.

The bend in one of the propeller-blade tips after the maiden flight.