"White 4" at Duxford in early May 2000.

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

The cockpit of the Bf109 was missing most of its instruments, many having been removed by souvenir hunters or simply lost while the aircraft sat in a Canadian scrapyard.

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

A lack of cowlings has prevented the ARC crew from fitting the wingroot fairings.

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

Just one of the bullet holes found on the aircraft by the restoration team. Whether these were sustained in combat or were the result the Devonshire Regiment’s attentions is open to debate.

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

“White 4” at Duxford soon after its arrival in 1998.

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

John “Smudger” Smith of the ARC at work on one of the Bf 109’s ailerons.

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

Smudge’s colleague Colin Swann with the de-skinned port wing at an earlier stage in the project.

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

The firewall area before restoration.

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

The Messerschmitt undergoing minor repairs in the yard of the Gar Woods Company in Chicago, owned by famous Thirties speedboat racer Gar Woods.

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

In May 1942 the Messerschmitt had reached Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By now Flt Sgt Baron was well used to answering questions about the fighter, and here he points out Ebbighausen’s kill markings.

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

This view, taken on the wartime tour, reveals autographs scratched into the fuselage, and the 100-octane fuel marking in the triangle aft of the cockpit. The grouping of holes in front of the Tiger motif are thought to be fake battle damage, mocked-up during the American tour to titillate the paying public further.

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

One of the first stops on the American tour was at the Roosevelt Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida. The Messerschmitt was displayed in the hotel ballroom in mid July 1942.

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

The downed Bf 109E under guard at East Dean in Sussex shortly after its unplanned arrival on September 30, 1940. It suffered relatively little damage during its belly-landing.

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