MICHAEL O'LEARY photographed David Price flying the Santa Monica Museum of Flying's magnificent Messerschmitt Bf 109E NX81562 over California in December 1999.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

The Bf 109E is a slim, compact aircraft with plenty of horsepower and firepower.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

Old enemies meet. Alan Preston in the Museum of Flight Hurricane joins up for some formation work. It is believed that a Hurricane and Bf 109E have not shared the same airspace since 1942.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker Hurricane - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1935Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

Breaking away from the camera aircraft, the Messerschmitt displays its angular wingtips.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

David Price eyes the camera aircraft from his seat behind the Emil’s distinctive yellow nose.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

The man who made his dream come true: owner David G. Price with Bf 109E NX81562 at Santa Monica.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

The cockpit has been restored to its original wartime condition.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938

Straightened out and propped together in Craig Charleston’s workshop before restoration, the Bf 109E’s remains looks deceptively complete. “I got excited when I saw the wreckage”, says David Price, “but it is fair to say that I didn’t fully understand what a great effort was still ahead.”

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Messerschmitt Bf.109E - ГерманияGermany - 1938