The newly-manufactured Messerschmitt Me262B-1A D-IMTT/N262MS that is such a prominent feature of each day’s ILA 2008 flying display is the one that was presented to the Messerschmitt Foundation here at ILA two years ago.

It is now operated by the EADS Heritage Flight Germany’s Manching airbase, and flown on alternate days by 71-year-old retired test pilot Horst Phillip, who has a wealth of experience on aircraft such as the F-104G Starfighter, and EADS chief test pilot Wolfgang Schirdewahn.

The aircraft only performs relatively low-energy manoeuvres, although this doesn’t detract from the Schwalbe’s (Swallow’s) display. Flying this historic Luftwaffe fighter in the skies over Berlin gives its pilots immense pleasure – as well as a few goose bumps. Nevertheless they display it well and the crowd reaction makes them both proud to be a part of the project.

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