Spanish-Built Bf-109 Airplanes Had Been Stored In A Barn Following Filming Of 'The Battle Of Britain'

Nine Spanish-built Bf-109 airplanes that had been used in the filming of the WWII movie "The Battle of Britain" were recently sold at auction to a European dealer and could be restored to flying condition in the near future.

The rare airplanes ... Spanish versions of the Messerschmitt 109 built under license with the company ... were found in pieces gathering dust in a barn in Texas. The movie was filmed in 1968, and they had been stored in the barn ever since. They had been given to stunt pilot Wilson "Connie" Edwards when the movie company could not afford to pay him, and he stored them on his Texas ranch.

The planes were sold for nearly $10 million. Also in the auction was a Supermarine Spitfire that actually flew in the famous battle that was used in the movie and then given to Edwards, now over 80 years old. That airplane fetched $6.3 million in the auction conducted by Platinum Fighters.

The UK newspaper The Express reports that the airplanes had not been touched since being stored, and even had the same oil in them that they did in 1968. The unnamed buyer reportedly plans to restore some for himself and sell the others.

The Spitfire IXb reportedly last flew in 1973, and was said to be in "remarkable" condition.

The Buchon Bf-109s had flown for the Spanish Air Force until 1965, and were purchased to play the role of the German fighters in the movie.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.platinumfighters.com